Illustration for a Book: Cardinal with Troops Facing a Fortification on a Hilltop 1696 - 1770

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's "Illustration for a Book: Cardinal with Troops Facing a Fortification on a Hilltop" is a delicate yet powerful pencil sketch. Created between 1696 and 1770, it captures a dramatic scene of a cardinal on horseback leading his troops towards a fortified hilltop. The artist's masterful use of line creates a sense of movement and depth, emphasizing the tension of the confrontation. The illustration's small size and delicate lines suggest it was likely intended for a book, possibly a historical text or a religious work. Tiepolo's work often celebrated the grandeur of historical events, and this sketch, though small, reflects his signature dramatic and dynamic style.