Artwork
Two Rampaging Elephants
Two Rampaging Elephants is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo. It dates from 1791 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Two Rampaging Elephants is a drawing created by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo in 1791. It is executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk and charcoal on white laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts two elephants in a dynamic, chaotic scene, with a man and child lying helpless in the foreground. The simple background emphasizes the energy and power of the elephants.
Technique & Style
Tiepolo used a range of techniques, including energetic linework and tonal shading, to convey the movement and force of the elephants. Loose, confident strokes capture the animals' muscles and legs, creating a sense of wild power.
History & Provenance
The drawing is from Tiepolo's late career, following his work in etching and printmaking. It is a product of his mature style, characterized by expressive and spontaneous mark-making.
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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.
