Two Women, One Holding an Anchor, and a Putto on Clouds 1696 - 1770

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo created this drawing of two women and a putto using pen and brown ink wash. The use of brown ink wash is critical here. Tiepolo would have built up translucent layers, manipulating the tonal range to imply volume. In the 18th century, drawing was integral to the development of any composition, and an artist like Tiepolo had to be an absolute master of this skill. His penstrokes defined the contours of the figures, and also captured the dynamism of the scene. Note how the anchor held by the woman in the upper left is barely sketched; it is the contrast between light and dark, deftly applied, that completes the image. The use of drawing as a primary mode of expression reminds us that all art relies on direct interaction with materials and tools. Whether a sketch on paper, or a fully realized painting, these processes are linked. Examining the choices made during the process illuminates the cultural significance of the work.