Laatste avondmaal 1737 - 1804

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo created this print of the Last Supper in 18th century Venice. It depicts a familiar biblical scene, but look closely and you’ll notice some peculiar details. The scene is staged within a grand, classical interior that is crumbling. A dog sits to the side, seemingly indifferent to the sacred event. Tiepolo was working in a city known for its elaborate theatrical productions and this print shares that sensibility. In Venice, at this time, art academies were becoming increasingly influential, dictating artistic standards. Tiepolo’s print shows a loosening of such strictures. While it represents a traditional subject, its quirky details challenge the seriousness and decorum typically associated with religious art. To fully understand this work, we can research the art market in 18th century Venice, and the role of the church and the academy. In doing so, we can see how Tiepolo both embraced and subverted the artistic conventions of his time.