Turkeys in a Venetian Farmyard, the third drawing in Tiepolo’s series of 59 scenes of contemporary life. c. 1791

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo made this pen and wash drawing, one of a series of scenes of contemporary life, sometime in the second half of the 18th century. The scene depicts a bustling Venetian farmyard filled with turkeys. Looking closer, we see the farm is populated not only by fowl but also by women and children. One woman seems to be actively herding the birds, directing their movement with emphatic gestures. This drawing is from a time when Venice was declining as a major economic and political force. The series to which this drawing belongs provides historians with a glimpse into the everyday lives of Venetians during this period of transformation. Tiepolo's choice of subject matter reflects a growing interest in the lives of ordinary people, a shift away from the grand historical and mythological themes that had dominated Venetian art for centuries. By studying such works alongside archival documents, we can gain insights into the social and economic realities of 18th-century Venice. These include aspects of agricultural practices, gender roles, and the changing relationship between urban and rural life.