Bearded Man Wearing a Cap

The Bearded Man Wearing a Cap is an expressive drawing created by the renowned Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo between 1737 and 1748. Executed using pen and brown ink combined with a delicate brown wash, this work showcases Tiepolo’s characteristic freedom and energy in graphic media. The classification as a finished drawing, rather than a preliminary sketch for a large-scale commission, suggests it may have functioned as a standalone portrait study or a record of a common subject type popular in the mid-eighteenth century.

Tiepolo utilized the brown wash to quickly establish volume and dramatic shadow, a technique that gives the subject a robust, sculptural presence despite the limited palette of ink on paper. The quick, decisive lines defining the facial features, the thick beard, and the soft cap capture the intense gaze and personality of the anonymous man. Such studies of individuals, often focusing intensely on expressive faces, reflect the period's growing interest in intimate portraiture. This work helped solidify Tiepolo’s reputation not only as a great fresco painter but also as one of the era’s most gifted draftsmen.

This exceptional example of European drawing is part of the extensive collection held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its historical significance and quality ensure that high-resolution digital representations are often made available through the public domain, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to study the artist's technique. High-quality prints derived from this original collection continue to illustrate Tiepolo's sophisticated handling of light and form in his intimate works on paper.