Artwork
Joseph, Standing, Adores the Child
Joseph, Standing, Adores the Child is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo. It dates from 1753 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Joseph, Standing, Adores the Child is an etching created by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo in 1753. As the son and pupil of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, he developed his skills in both painting and printmaking, with this work exemplifying his etching practice.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a devotional scene where Joseph, in a reverent posture, adores the infant Jesus. The composition contrasts a serene moment of worship, with Joseph kneeling beside a donkey and reaching toward the child on a rock, against a dynamic backdrop.
Technique & Style
Tiepolo utilized etching to achieve sharp lines that convey movement and drama, particularly evident in the swirling clouds and the wings of two celestial figures in the sky, one of whom holds a spear. The interplay of light and shadow enhances the emotional depth of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in 1753, the etching is part of Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo's body of work as a printmaker. Specific details about its provenance or notable exhibitions are not provided in the available information.
Context
This work reflects the artistic traditions of 18th-century Venice, where the Tiepolo family was prominent. The blend of religious subject matter with expressive etching techniques situates it within the broader context of Baroque and Rococo art in Europe.
Legacy
As part of Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo's oeuvre, *Joseph, Standing, Adores the Child* contributes to the understanding of his development as an independent artist from his father's influence. Its legacy is intertwined with the appreciation of Tiepolo's printmaking skills and the evolution of religious art in the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (August 30, 1727 – March 3, 1804) was an Italian painter and printmaker in etching. He was the son of artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and elder brother of Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo.
Flight into Egypt: Joseph Pausing to Gaze at the Infant Christ
The Flight, with Madonna at Right Supported by Angels
The Flight with Obelisk at the Left
The Holy Family Disembarking
The Flight with the Holy Family at the Right
The Flight, Joseph at Right and Mary and Angel at Left
The Madonna and Child at Left, with a File of Angels
Flight into Egypt: The Holy Family Passing near a Pyramid
The Flight, Holy Family at the Right, Joseph Looking to the Left
The Rest on the Flight, with Adoring Angels
The Flight with the Holy Family at the Left
The Flight into Egypt: The Flight with the Madonna at Right Supported by Angels