Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696–1770), Italian, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, born in Venice in March 1696, emerged as a towering figure of the Venetian Rococo, celebrated for his grandiose and theatrical compositions. The youngest of nine siblings, Tiepolo's early life was marked by hardship following his father's death in 1697, leaving the family in financial straits. His artistic journey began around 1710 under the tutelage of Gregorio Lazzarini, from whom he absorbed a blend of Venetian traditions and a penchant for dramatic flair. Tiepolo's early work, influenced by the dark, intense styles of Federico Bencovich and Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, soon evolved to reflect the luminous vibrancy of Sebastiano Ricci and the grandeur of Venetian masters like Tintoretto and Veronese.
By 1715, Tiepolo had begun to leave his mark with works such as the five apostles' figures for Santa Maria dei Derelitti, showcasing his mastery of chiaroscuro. His talent caught the eye of Venice's elite, including Doge Giovanni II Corner, for whom he executed portraits and decorative pieces, blending warm tones with a clear, luminous quality. Tiepolo's career, spanning several decades, was distinguished by his frescoes and paintings that adorned churches and palaces across Europe, culminating in his work in Madrid, where he died in 1770. His legacy, carried forward by his sons Giandomenico and Lorenzo, cements his status as a pivotal figure in 18th-century art, bridging the Baroque's dynamism with the Rococo's lightness and elegance.