The work Illustration for a Book: Keys of a City Offered to a Procession of Cardinals Headed by a Riderless Horse by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770) is a preparatory drawing executed primarily in black chalk. Characteristic of the artist’s methodology, the composition features horizontal and vertical centering lines ruled in faint black chalk, suggesting its intended use as a study for an engraving or book illustration that would require precise transfer or scaling.
The scene depicts a major civic or religious event from the 18th century, likely a ceremonial entry into a city. A prominent group of human figures is shown formally presenting keys to an approaching procession of high-ranking Cardinals. Adding drama and focus to the scene is a magnificent, powerful riderless horse, which symbolizes the importance and solemnity of the event being documented. Tiepolo’s masterful handling of the medium emphasizes swift movement and depth, capturing the density of the crowd and the architectural backdrop with characteristic Venetian flair.
As a significant example of Tiepolo's versatile output, this drawing demonstrates the technical skill he brought to his illustrative commissions, complementing his well-known fresco cycles. The drawing currently resides in the extensive collection of European drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Reflecting its historical importance, this masterwork is often made available for study; high-quality reproductions, sometimes used for creating fine art prints, are accessible through the museum's public domain resources.
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