Allegorical Scene of Coronation 1696 - 1770

This ink drawing, "Allegorical Scene of Coronation," was created by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in the 18th century, a period defined by aristocratic power structures and rigid social hierarchies. Tiepolo, as a court artist, navigated these structures by creating idealized and often allegorical representations of power. In this coronation scene, we witness a symbolic gesture of authority, where the act of bestowing a crown is imbued with layers of meaning. Note the use of costume to denote status. Who gets to wear what? What does the kneeling posture communicate? This piece provides insight into how power was not only wielded but also performed and visually communicated during the 1700s. The artist asks us to consider the narrative and emotional dimensions embedded in such displays of authority.