Medoro en Angelica kerven hun naam in boomstam 1757 - 1760

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo created this etching, “Medoro en Angelica kerven hun naam in boomstam,” at an unknown date in the 18th century. It depicts a scene of romantic love, but through the very public act of carving lovers' names in a tree. The image is packed with visual and cultural references. Tiepolo was working in Venice, a city known for its libertine culture and elaborate carnivals. In this social context, the public display of affection becomes a statement. The deliberate act of carving their names into a tree trunk transforms a private moment into a very public declaration. The work might subtly critique the institution of marriage or comment on the social conventions of love and courtship in 18th century Venice. To fully understand this print, we need to delve into the visual culture of 18th-century Venice, looking at period literature, popular theater, and even fashion trends. By engaging with such sources, we appreciate how art acts as a mirror, reflecting and questioning the society that produces it.