Punchinello Feeding the Peacocks c. 1800

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo made this drawing, "Punchinello Feeding the Peacocks," using pen and brown wash. It's part of a series that focuses on Punchinello, a stock character from Italian commedia dell'arte, a theatrical form popular in the 18th century. Tiepolo's Punchinello is always recognizable by his costume – a white, conical hat and loose tunic. Here, he's performing the seemingly benign act of feeding peacocks. However, the presence of this character raises questions about social roles and satire. Commedia dell'arte often used stock characters to critique social norms. Tiepolo was working in Venice, a city known for its carnivals and theatrical traditions. His father, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, was a famous painter, and Domenico worked in his studio. Domenico’s work moved away from grand history painting towards depictions of everyday life. By studying Tiepolo's world, we can understand the cultural codes embedded in his art. Researching the history of commedia dell'arte or Venetian social life would provide further insight into this drawing's meaning. Ultimately, understanding art requires attention to its historical and institutional contexts.