Aged Dignitary Attended by Mercury and Prudence 1696 - 1770

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo created this ink wash drawing, Aged Dignitary Attended by Mercury and Prudence, sometime in the 18th century. Tiepolo was a master of the fresco and the altarpiece, but here he has turned his attention to the tradition of history painting. In this period, artists often allegorized political power. Tiepolo uses classical figures, Mercury and Prudence, to symbolize positive attributes of an unnamed dignitary. Mercury, the god of commerce and communication, gestures towards the dignitary, while Prudence, often depicted with a serpent, suggests wisdom and caution. These figures weren't simply decorative; they were visual arguments about the nature of authority, often commissioned by the subjects themselves to enhance their public image. Understanding this drawing requires us to consider the social function of art in 18th-century Venice and other parts of Europe. By studying the cultural context and the symbolic language of the time, we can better grasp the complex interplay between art, power, and society. Ultimately, Tiepolo's sketch reminds us that art is always embedded in a specific time and place.