Ontwerp voor een titelblad met Pax en Justitia before 1732

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo made this title page design using pen and brown wash over graphite. The traditional methods are evident in the delicate lines and soft shading, a world away from industrial production. Look closely, and you can see how the artist layered the wash to create depth and volume, from the figures of Pax and Justitia to the cherubic forms above. The drawing medium itself allows for a fluid, expressive line, essential for capturing the allegorical figures and their draped clothing. The artist's hand is ever-present, guiding the composition with a focus on classical forms, while the pen work emphasizes the texture of the figures' garments. Tiepolo was part of a workshop system with many hands involved. Although this artwork may seem distant from wider social issues, consider that the paper, ink, and artistic skill all had a role in a system of artistic patronage and production. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly rarefied artworks are embedded in a web of labor, materials, and exchange.