Illustration for a Book: Scene of Men Disposing of Corpse in a Garden 1696 - 1770

This small drawing was made by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, likely in the mid-18th century, using pen and brown wash over graphite on paper. The artist’s hand is immediately evident. The medium of ink is unforgiving; unlike pencil or charcoal, it does not allow for easy erasure. Look closely, and you can see the sureness of line, the rapid, confident strokes that define the figures and the architecture. The process is one of immediacy, thinking through drawing, a direct record of Tiepolo's thought. In this case, the drawing captures a brutal scene: men disposing of a corpse. The artist’s choice of materials – humble graphite and ink on paper – brings us closer to the raw physicality of the moment. The materiality of the drawing, its simple, direct quality, underscores the human cost of violence and intrigue. The quick movements and economy of strokes, especially in his wash technique, show Tiepolo's mastery and his profound engagement with the human drama. The work challenges us to look beyond the conventional beauty of art and confront the darker aspects of human experience.