Caricature of a Man in a Mask and a Cloak, Holding a Muff and a Tricorne, Standing in Profile to the Left 1755 - 1765

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo made this caricature of a masked man with pen and brown wash. Tiepolo lived in 18th-century Venice, a city known for its carnivals where masks allowed people to move freely between social classes. This image, likely made for the amusement of the artist and his circle, highlights the performative aspect of social identity. The exaggerated features, the mask, and the costume are all visual cues that invite us to question what lies beneath the surface. The figure holds a muff, commonly used by women, perhaps commenting on gender roles. As art historians, we can look at the social and political context of the time to understand the artist’s intentions and his relationship to the established social structures. Did Tiepolo critique the institutions of art through these caricatures? Further research into the social customs of 18th century Venice can help us to better understand the meaning of this image.