Artwork
The Discovery of the Tomb of Punchinello
The Discovery of the Tomb of Punchinello is a watercolor print by the Rococo painting artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It dates from 1754 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in plate: B. Tiepolo
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1754, The Discovery of the Tomb of Punchinello is an etching by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Executed on laid paper and overlaid with a faint yellow‑green wash, the work belongs to the Rococo period of 18th‑century Venice, where Tiepolo was a leading figure among painters and printmakers.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a tangled crowd of figures caught among twisted trees and roots, their limbs interlaced in a disorderly fashion. Though individual faces are indistinct, the chaotic arrangement suggests a theatrical or mythic episode, possibly an imagined discovery of a burial site, reflecting Tiepero’s interest in dramatic narrative scenes.
Technique & Style
Tiepolo employed a rapid, sketch‑like line that gives the image a vigorous, almost scribbled quality. The etching’s dark, irregular strokes are softened by a light watercolor tint, creating a contrast between graphic precision and atmospheric coloration. This approach emphasizes movement and emotional intensity over polished detail, aligning with Rococo’s preference for fluidity and expression.
History & Provenance
The print was produced during Tiepolo’s prolific period of work across Italy, Germany, and Spain, where he contributed to the broader Venetian school alongside contemporaries such as Canaletto and Francesco Guardi. While the original ownership record is limited, the piece is now catalogued as a representative example of Tiepolo’s printmaking output.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, also known as Giambattista Tiepolo, was an Italian painter and printmaker from the Republic of Venice who painted in the Rococo style, considered an important member of the 18th-century Venetian school.
