Time Discovering Truth 

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted "Time Discovering Truth" with oil on canvas, but its date remains unknown. Tiepolo, who lived in Venice during the 17th century, was known for his grand frescoes and ceiling paintings for the elite. Here, we see a common allegory in European painting, but with a twist. Truth, represented by a winged, pale-skinned woman, is raised into the sky by Time, a muscular, darker-skinned man. This could be read as a commentary on the slow unveiling of truth throughout history. Below them, figures representing Ignorance are being overthrown. Tiepolo’s composition asks us to consider the role of time in revealing truth and its power to disrupt long held narratives. Consider how the concept of “truth” itself is culturally constructed, shifting across time and societal change. The emotional weight of this piece lies in its suggestion that, ultimately, time will expose all.