Soldiers Trying to Prevent Two Men From Fighting

This drawing was made by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, using pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper. Look closely, and you will notice that this is not a spontaneous sketch, but a study of the effects of light on the figures. The drawing is built up of many layers of hatching, cross-hatching and wash, creating a complex interplay of light and shadow. The contrast between light and dark is used to create a sense of drama and movement, as the soldiers try to restrain the fighting men. Tiepolo has deftly employed the pen and wash to capture the complex interplay of bodies, all vying for space and attention. This contrasts with the traditional ideas about drawing as a quick, preliminary sketch. The drawing testifies to Tiepolo's mastery of materials, and the expressive potential of even the simplest media. It challenges us to consider the social dynamics inherent in the labor involved in artistic creation.