Punchinello with Dumpling or Fritter 1696 - 1770

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo rendered "Punchinello with Dumpling or Fritter" using pen and brown ink with brown wash. Tiepolo, an Italian painter and printmaker from the Republic of Venice, was active in a society marked by distinct social strata. This drawing reflects the intersection of comedy, culture, and class. The Punchinello character, a staple of Italian commedia dell'arte, embodies both wit and caricature. Tiepolo makes visible the life of leisure through the figure's consumption of food and tobacco. The corpulent figure becomes a representation of the privileged classes and their indulgences. The drawing presents a narrative about identity, challenging or upholding societal norms by portraying the Punchinello figure with a mix of familiarity and satire. The emotional pull of this artwork lies in its accessible depiction of human foibles. It prompts us to consider our own relationship with societal expectations.