Young Lady in a Tricorn Hat c. 1755 - 1760

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted this portrait on canvas, likely in the mid-18th century. Immediately striking is the contrast between the dark, enveloping cloak and tricorn hat, and the pale face of the young woman. This contrast creates a focal point, drawing our eye to her expression. The composition is deceptively simple. The dark, almost monolithic, forms of the hat and cloak provide a structured frame. This structure emphasizes the soft, almost luminous, skin tones of the face and the delicate hand holding the fan. Tiepolo masterfully uses light and shadow to sculpt the forms, giving a sense of depth and volume. The asymmetry introduced by the fan adds a dynamic element, preventing the portrait from becoming static. Tiepolo’s choice of a tricorn hat, typically associated with masculinity, worn by a young woman destabilizes fixed gender roles, prompting a re-evaluation of social categories. The interplay between light, shadow, and form serves not just an aesthetic purpose, but to challenge established norms and to question the representation of identity.