A River God and Other Figures on a Parapet c. 1740

This drawing, created in the eighteenth century by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, is made with pen and brown wash over graphite on laid paper. These materials are simple, and the process is direct. It’s clear Tiepolo wasn’t after surface sheen or striking color. He wanted to achieve something else. Look at the way the figures emerge from the paper. Tiepolo's been quite economical, using the bare minimum of marks to suggest volume and shadow. Notice how the figures are loosely sketched, with a sense of spontaneity. He's captured a scene with immediacy and movement. The brown wash adds depth, defining the forms and creating subtle tonal variations. Tiepolo was a master of fresco painting. He was constantly experimenting with different techniques to achieve the best results in his craft. This drawing isn't just a preliminary study but an artwork in its own right. By focusing on the materials and process, we can appreciate the skill, creativity and techniques involved in its production. It reminds us that drawings were often central to workshops and studios, and that these works on paper were valued as an important way of registering ideas.