Turkse man met tulband 1771 - 1774

Editor: This etching, "Turkse man met tulband," created by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo between 1771 and 1774, has a striking sense of depth, despite being primarily black and white. The crosshatching seems meticulously crafted. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The density of the hatching certainly dictates the distribution of light and shadow, creating volume. The artist has meticulously varied the marks, hasn't he? The hat, or turban, has a lighter tonality through delicate etching, but see how Tiepolo then abruptly contrasts this, deepening the modeling of the face using concentrated linework. Notice, too, the consistent angles and clear directionality within each of these discrete areas, and how effectively it serves to build a tangible form. Editor: It's almost sculptural! Does this precise construction relate to its Baroque style at all? Curator: The Baroque valued dynamism and emotive engagement, and, through skillful manipulations of line and texture, a draftsman can certainly emulate such theatricality. Notice the diagonal sweep of the turban cloth—isn't it interesting that, despite its static nature, there's an impression of active unfolding? Editor: Absolutely, and the slightly downcast gaze adds a sense of inwardness. Curator: A counterpoint perhaps to external grandeur, yet no less vital. Indeed, one may discern Baroque concern with complex human emotion, even in such an unassuming drawing. What have you found most striking about this exercise? Editor: Learning how an artist uses such careful execution to make such strong artistic decisions. Thank you.