A Lion, Lying Toward the Right mid-18th–early 19th century

Curator: Here we have Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo’s drawing, "A Lion, Lying Toward the Right," likely from the mid-18th to early 19th century, rendered in ink on paper. What's your initial impression? Editor: It looks so solid, so materially present. The lion has a definite weight. The layers of ink create such a depth of shadow, it makes you consider the lion not as an ideal but as a real presence that seems rooted to its plinth. Curator: That sense of solidity comes, in part, from Tiepolo's technique. Look closely at the hatching, the layering of the ink washes. He's building up form and volume through carefully controlled application of material. Considering his artistic milieu and the grand traditions of drawing, it’s intriguing that Tiepolo is so intent on rendering the lion's physicality in such a tangible way. Editor: Right, I see what you mean. And it does prompt a question about display and context. Was this intended as a preparatory study, a display piece, or something else entirely? The base seems architectural. Were lions like this commonly incorporated into public spaces during this period? Was Tiepolo exploring civic virtues, power? Curator: Absolutely. Lions frequently feature in civic and aristocratic iconography. By portraying it this way, in drawing rather than, say, a fresco, does the function shift? A print or a drawing may have helped spread classic ideas in different socio-economic circles, perhaps in the burgeoning merchant class. Editor: Thinking about it, there's also the art market to consider. Did Tiepolo intend these as collectibles? Souvenirs for those who experienced his larger works, such as frescoes, or independently successful pieces? Curator: It is fascinating to think about the various possibilities. Perhaps the materiality of this lion acts not merely as a descriptive form, but also serves as a tactile object for intellectual stimulation. Editor: Precisely. Examining art is always multi-faceted, no? Thank you. Curator: Indeed. We both look at a reclining lion, but come away with entirely new questions!