The Assumption of the Virgin 1727 - 1804

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo created this drawing of The Assumption of the Virgin using pen and brown ink with gray wash. The composition is immediately striking, spiraling upwards to capture the Virgin Mary's ascent. Notice how Tiepolo uses dynamic lines and dramatic shading to create a sense of movement and otherworldly lightness. The Virgin's figure, rendered in softer tones, is propelled upwards by angels. The ink and wash technique adds to the ethereal quality. It’s as if the forms are emerging from or dissolving back into the heavens. The structure of the artwork invites us to consider its cultural context. Tiepolo, working in the 18th century, was part of a world steeped in religious iconography. Yet, his style, with its emphasis on dynamism and emotion, moves away from more rigid, traditional representations. By focusing on the formal elements, we see how Tiepolo both honors and transforms established artistic and religious meanings. The drawing is a testament to Tiepolo's skill. It also functions as an exercise in how art can negotiate faith, tradition, and individual expression.