Seated Satyress 1696 - 1770

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo made this intriguing drawing of a Seated Satyress using pen and brown wash over traces of graphite. Created in 18th-century Venice, this study reflects the prevailing interest in classical mythology and the rediscovery of ancient art. Satyrs and satyresses, creatures of the forest and followers of Bacchus, embodied primal instincts and unrestrained revelry. Tiepolo, working in a society marked by both opulence and social stratification, might have used such figures to explore themes of freedom and transgression. The drawing's fluid lines and suggestive shading add to its sense of spontaneity, hinting at the fleeting pleasures these figures represent. To fully understand Tiepolo's artistic choices, we might consult period literature, theatre, and festival records to understand the social function of these images. The study of costume and popular culture can illuminate the possible meanings that these figures carried for the artist and his audience. The history of institutions like the Venetian Academy can also help us understand the role of drawing in artistic training.