Illustration for a Book: Coronation of an Emperor (?) 1696 - 1770

This illustration, tentatively titled “Coronation of an Emperor(?),” was made by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, likely in the mid-18th century. It's a graphite drawing on paper – a medium perfectly suited to rapidly capturing a scene. Tiepolo was prolific in both painting and drawing, and this piece gives us insight into his working process. Look closely, and you can see how he used short, energetic lines to define the figures and architecture, building up layers of tone to create depth and shadow. The marks are economical, yet they convey a sense of movement and drama. Though it is ‘just’ a sketch, the illustration also speaks volumes about the social context in which Tiepolo worked. The paper itself, though relatively inexpensive, would have been a precious commodity. And the skill required to render such a complex scene with such speed and precision? That took years of training, and the support of wealthy patrons who valued Tiepolo's artistic labor. This drawing reminds us that even the most spontaneous-seeming artworks are always embedded in a network of materials, making, and social relations.