Who painted Saint James of Compostela?

Saint James of Compostela was painted by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo in 1766.

Where can I see Saint James of Compostela?

Saint James of Compostela is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint James of Compostela?

Saint James of Compostela is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Saint James of Compostela

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo , 1766

Saint James of Compostela is an ink print by the Baroque artist Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1766, the etching titled *Saint James of Compostela* is a black‑and‑white print by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo. The work belongs to the religious genre prevalent in eighteenth‑century Italy and presents a dramatic, narrative scene rendered through the precise lines and tonal contrasts characteristic of the medium.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays the legendary pilgrim saint as a mounted knight, his horse rearing and a flag held aloft. Below, a kneeling figure clutches a sword and a shield, suggesting a moment of veneration or supplication. The composition emphasizes devotion and the heroic stature traditionally associated with Saint James.

Technique & Style

Executed by etching, the print relies on incised lines that capture fine detail and a wide tonal range, from delicate grays to deep shadows. Tiepolo employs chiaroscuro shading to model the armor, cape, and horse, creating a sense of depth and movement that distinguishes the foreground figures from the darker background.

History & Provenance

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, the younger son of the renowned Venetian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, worked both as a painter and a printmaker. This work reflects his participation in the flourishing Venetian print tradition of the mid‑1700s, though specific ownership records for the piece remain limited.

Artist & collection

Artist

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

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.