Psyche in front of Jupiter 

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo made this drawing of Psyche in front of Jupiter sometime in the 18th century. Tiepolo, living in the Republic of Venice, was one of the most celebrated painters of his time. His work provides us with an insight into the cultural values of the Venetian elite. In this sketch, Tiepolo illustrates a classical myth. We see Jupiter, king of the gods, sitting on a cloud with an eagle at his feet. Psyche, a mortal woman who became the goddess of the soul, is presented to him. The drawing is made using a technique called ‘pen and wash’, a popular medium at the time. It allowed artists to create a sense of depth and atmosphere with simple means. Through sketches like these, we can investigate the social networks of patronage that enabled Tiepolo to create his art. The historian researches such works by studying the artist’s biography, the iconography of mythological subjects, and the collecting habits of patrons. By understanding the context, we can better appreciate the meaning and significance of Tiepolo's art.