Allegorical Figure Representing Arithmetic

The Allegorical Figure Representing Arithmetic by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, painted around 1760, exemplifies the grandeur and technical mastery of the Venetian Rococo style just before its transition into Neoclassicism. This remarkable work originated as a fresco, created for the decoration of a ceiling or wall, and was later meticulously transferred to canvas, a complex conservation process that preserved the subtle coloration and lively brushwork characteristic of Tiepolo’s monumental commissions.

The subject is a striking female figure, personifying the Allegory of Arithmetic, one of the seven traditional Liberal Arts. Tiepolo depicts the woman in sweeping robes, bathed in dramatic light, emphasizing her intellectual attributes rather than pure decorative beauty. She is actively engaged, likely holding tools of measurement or computation that denote her systematic study. The inclusion of classical or pseudo-classical elements, perhaps suggesting surrounding sculpted figures or architectural details, reinforces the academic nature of the subject and Tiepolo's grounding in historical traditions.

This piece dates from the artist's prolific late career, showcasing his renowned ability to integrate figures seamlessly into soaring illusionistic spaces. Today, this distinctive painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, serving as a vital example of eighteenth-century Italian decorative art. Due to its age and cultural significance, the image is widely accessible in the public domain, allowing students and art enthusiasts alike to study the work and obtain high-quality prints reflecting Tiepolo’s masterful control of light and color.