Two Women, a Lion, and a Putto on Clouds 1696 - 1770

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo rendered “Two Women, a Lion, and a Putto on Clouds” in ink and wash. Tiepolo, working in 18th-century Venice, was a master of frescoes and large-scale decorations for the elite. Here, though, we see a smaller sketch, perhaps a study for a larger work, one that features the theatrical and dynamic compositions for which he was known. The figures, rendered in sepia tones, are swept up in a drama. It is not difficult to imagine that Tiepolo saw the possibilities of upward mobility through his works in his commission for the aristocracy. There are also some who say that, like the putto, Tiepolo was an artist who represented innocence and purity. What do you think about the representation of women in this image? Do they seem like active participants, or are they merely passive figures in this heavenly drama? Consider how Tiepolo balances tradition with his own artistic expression.