The Marriage of Punchinello's Father 1797 - 1804

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo made this pen and wash drawing, titled "The Marriage of Punchinello's Father," sometime in the late 18th century. Tiepolo was working in a world steeped in tradition, yet on the cusp of revolutionary change. Here, we see the grotesque Punchinello figures, with their dark masks and cone hats, engaged in a wedding ceremony. These characters, originating from the commedia dell'arte, were a vehicle for social satire. The scene is chaotic, with Punchinellos kneeling and crowding around the bride and groom as they receive a blessing from a clergyman. Tiepolo uses these figures to play with themes of class and social mobility. Commedia dell'arte often gave voice to the lower classes and the Punchinello character embodies the everyday person navigating societal norms. The use of satire allows Tiepolo to explore power dynamics and question the status quo. The drawing embodies the grotesque reality and theatricality of human relations.