Caricature of a Person in a Voluminous Gown, Seen from Behind

The detailed drawing, Caricature of a Person in a Voluminous Gown, Seen from Behind, was executed by the renowned Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo between 1755 and 1765. Classified as a study of Human Figures, this work utilizes pen and black ink combined with an expressive gray wash, a characteristic technique favored by Tiepolo for generating quick, yet complex, tonal studies. The delicate but decisive application of the wash defines the depth and texture of the central subject, achieving sculptural volume with economical means.

The piece focuses entirely on a solitary figure whose identity is largely obscured by the exaggerated dimensions of their clothing. Viewed strictly from behind, the subject’s posture emphasizes the sweeping, flowing drapery of the gown and headwear, transforming the figure into a monumental shape. Tiepolo frequently utilized drawing to capture the contemporary social scene, and works featuring these dramatic Human Figures provide keen insight into late Rococo fashion and the popular 18th-century European fascination with caricatura drawings, a genre distinct from formal portraiture.

This exceptional drawing exemplifies Tiepolo’s economical yet dynamic draftsmanship, where minimal lines suggest maximum volume and movement. The immediacy achieved through the ink and wash medium highlights the artist's spontaneous approach to capturing character and posture. Now a key component of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s extensive drawings collection, this work contributes significantly to the understanding of Tiepolo’s late period output. While carefully preserved, the piece, like much of the master's graphic work, is frequently reproduced, allowing modern viewers access to high-quality prints reflecting the original's finesse, often available through public domain sources.