Fantasy on the Death of Seneca

Fantasy on the Death of Seneca by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo Italian, 1696–1770, is a masterful example of eighteenth-century Venetian draftsmanship, executed between 1735 and 1740. This dramatic scene utilizes a complex application of medium: pen and brown ink combined with a dynamic brush and brown wash, all laid over an initial sketch executed in black chalk on ivory laid paper. This layering of materials allowed Tiepolo to quickly establish deep shadows, rich atmosphere, and dramatic volume, embodying the characteristic Italian approach to drawing that prioritized chiaroscuro and rapid execution.

The subject, drawn from classical Roman history, depicts the tragic, enforced suicide of the Stoic philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca. However, the title suggests this is a capriccio, or "Fantasy," meaning the artist prioritized an imaginative or theatrical arrangement rather than a strictly literal historical rendering. Tiepolo, recognized as the era’s leading decorative painter, frequently utilized such dramatic drawings both as independent works of art and as studies for his monumental frescoes and canvases. The vitality of the brown wash powerfully accentuates his superb ability to arrange complex figures in compressed, chaotic space, a defining hallmark of his Rococo style.

As a significant piece of the artist’s graphic output from his formative period, this drawing provides vital insight into the master’s technique and subject preferences. While this specific piece is classified as a Drawing and remains a cornerstone of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago, many of Tiepolo’s related compositions have entered the public domain, providing accessible high-quality prints essential for art historical study.