Standing female figure seen from the back and from below c. 1740 - 1750

This pen and brown ink wash drawing was made by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, an Italian artist from the 18th century. Observe the figure from the back, and the dramatic upward perspective. It reminds us of the Greek goddess Aphrodite crouching. The crouching Venus emerges from the sea, and we see that gesture repeated in countless paintings and sculptures throughout history. In medieval times, this act was often connected to a deep human need for cleansing, renewal, and transformation. The visual and psychological impact of this motif, which can be traced back to ancient representations of fertility and rebirth, stirs something in our collective memory. Tiepolo subtly captures this emotional charge. The upward viewpoint emphasizes the body's curves, giving it a vulnerable and almost intimate quality. This combination of classic iconography and dramatic perspective creates an image that transcends time, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. It allows for new interpretations as the motif reappears across time.