Old Man Holding a Sword, His Left Arm Outstretched 1739 - 1760

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo made this ink drawing, "Old Man Holding a Sword, His Left Arm Outstretched," sometime in the 18th century. The sketch gives us insight into how power and aging were viewed during the height of the Venetian Republic. The loose rendering of the figure suggests a study, perhaps for a larger history painting which would have celebrated the power of Venice. The figure, while old, still grips a sword, a symbol of authority and strength. But the extended arm hints at a plea or supplication; is this a picture about holding onto power or the necessity of letting it go? It would be easy to read this image as another example of the patriarchy, but what if it is about the transition of power? The artist is grappling with how traditional symbols shift across generations. Ultimately, Tiepolo’s sketch invites us to consider the complexities of aging, authority, and the shifting tides of history.