Artwork
Prudence
Prudence is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The piece belongs to the Workshop of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dating to 1760 with dimensions of 124.
The painting allegorizes prudence through a solitary woman depicted in contemplation, embodying careful judgment and self-restraint. Her composed posture and direct gaze suggest measured decision-making, while the work's formal balance reinforces the theme of thoughtful restraint. The piece belongs to the Workshop of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dating to 1760 with dimensions of 124.8 cm by 92.1 cm.
Technique & Style
Prudence is a painting created in 1760 by the Workshop of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Executed on a support measuring 124.8 cm in height and 92.1 cm in width, the work depicts a woman. As a product of Tiepolo's workshop, the painting reflects the stylistic and technical practices associated with the artist's studio during this period.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Prudence was created in 1760 as part of a series commissioned by the Rezzonico family for their villa in Venice. It was executed by a workshop associated with Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, reflecting collaborative production within his studio. The work remained in the Rezzonico collection until the mid-20th century, after which it entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art's holdings. Today it is displayed at the museum in New York.
The painting measures 124.8 cm in height by 92.1 cm in width and depicts a woman embodying the allegorical virtue of prudence. It was produced during the Rococo period and is classified as an oil on canvas painting.
The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is accessioned as 67.190.1.
It was exhibited in 1996 at the exhibition Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1696–1770 held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and at the Museo del Settecento Veneziano, Ca’ Rezzonico, Venice, as part of the same traveling presentation.
Legacy
The painting’s enduring presence in a major institution has kept it in scholarly view, and its attribution to the workshop of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo has shaped discussions of late‑18th‑century Venetian painting. The work’s dimensions and date are recorded in the museum’s catalog, anchoring its provenance and providing a reference point for studies of Tiepolo’s influence on later artists.
Overview
The work titled "Prudence" presents a solitary female figure draped in a long, flowing robe. She holds a mirror in one hand and a snake in the other, embodying a classical pose. Rendered with muted earth tones, the composition conveys a calm, introspective atmosphere, inviting viewers to contemplate the subject’s quiet demeanor.
Artist & collection
