Caricature of a Fat Person Wearing a Long Cloak and a Tricorne, Seen from Behind

The detailed drawing, Caricature of a Fat Person Wearing a Long Cloak and a Tricorne, Seen from Behind, was executed by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo between 1755 and 1765. This piece utilizes pen and black ink with a subtle gray wash to emphasize the volume and weight of the subject, creating a powerful study despite its humorous intent. While Tiepolo is globally renowned for his vast fresco cycles and grand history paintings, he frequently produced rapid and witty caricatures, often targeting specific male figures or established types encountered in 18th-century Venice.

The subject, observed entirely from the rear, dominates the composition, emphasizing the comic exaggeration central to the genre of caricature. The immense, long cloak falls heavily, creating a dramatic, curtain-like fold that contrasts sharply with the narrow, upturned tricorne hat perched atop his head. Tiepolo employed quick, decisive ink strokes characteristic of his drawing style, allowing the gray wash to define shadow and depth, giving the men’s figure a monumental, if absurd, gravity.

This classification of work belongs to a significant series of caricatures Tiepolo produced throughout his career, illustrating the artist's keen eye for social observation and his technical agility with pen and wash. These drawings were likely circulated privately among his circle rather than intended for wide public display. This particular piece is part of the comprehensive collection of European works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it helps illustrate the often-overlooked humorous side of the great Venetian master. As an important drawing from this period, high-quality prints of this artwork are commonly found in the public domain for study and appreciation.