Caricature of a Man in a Voluminous Cloak, Carrying a Walking Stick, Seen from Behind

The "Caricature of a Man in a Voluminous Cloak, Carrying a Walking Stick, Seen from Behind" is an exceptional drawing by the celebrated Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, created approximately between 1755 and 1765. This piece, classified within the medium of drawing, showcases Tiepolo’s remarkable fluency with ink and wash techniques. Executed in pen and dark brown ink with subsequent applications of brown wash, the artwork highlights the exaggerated, almost sculptural drama of the man's attire.

The subject is seen entirely from behind, his identity obscured by the imposing bulk of his cloak, which dominates the composition. Tiepolo uses the swift application of the wash to define the heavy shadow and volume of the drapery, contrasting sharply with the quick, thin lines that define the man’s legs and the prominent walking stick he carries. This focus on exaggerated form places the drawing firmly within the tradition of 18th-century caricature, a popular genre among Italian and European artists during the Rococo era.

Tiepolo and his circle often created insightful, satirical studies of the men and women they encountered, circulating these playful yet critical sketches widely. Such graphic works sometimes served as private amusement, shorthand character studies, or were reproduced as prints for a broader audience. While famed for his grand, monumental frescos, Tiepolo was an equally gifted draftsman, utilizing the immediacy of the ink medium to capture fleeting human character with wit and precision. This drawing is a vital example of the artist’s graphic skill and remains a key component of the esteemed collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.