A Standing Oriental Holding a Rod 1753 - 1762

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo created this drawing, A Standing Oriental Holding a Rod, using pen and brown ink wash on laid paper. Tiepolo’s deft handling of the materials is clear in the figure’s loose robes, their texture defined by varying the concentration of ink. This economy of means gives the figure a sense of immediacy, as though captured in a fleeting moment. It's a study in light and shadow, where each stroke of the pen and wash contributes to the overall composition and the figure's presence. The work’s significance lies not just in its aesthetic qualities, but also the speed and efficiency demonstrated. These skills, honed through years of practice, speak to the changing social status of the artist, and the market demand for such imagery. It shows that drawing, at this time, was as important as the final product. Looking closely at the materials and the ways in which they are handled, you might begin to question the traditional hierarchies that separate fine art from craft.