Old Man Holding a Sword, His Left Arm Outstretched

Old Man Holding a Sword, His Left Arm Outstretched is a dynamic drawing executed by the great Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo between 1739 and 1760. As a prominent example of 18th-century draftsmanship, the work is rendered in pen and brown ink with expressive brown wash applied to create dramatic shadow and volume. This technique, characteristic of Tiepolo's prolific preparatory studies, allows for the rapid realization of form and emotional intensity, capturing the movement and gesture essential for large-scale compositions.

The drawing depicts an elderly man positioned dramatically, his left arm extended outward as if addressing a crowd or confronting an opponent. The figure’s powerful pose, gripping a visible sword, suggests a prototype for a character found in a historical fresco or a mythological narrative, genres that dominated Tiepolo’s celebrated career. Tiepolo utilized the interplay of ink line and broad wash to maximize contrasts, giving the central figure a sense of palpable energy despite the relatively small scale of the sheet. The robust depiction of men, often in powerful or heroic attitudes, was a constant feature of the artist’s extensive output.

Residing in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this drawing offers critical insight into the artist’s working method during his mature period. The strong characterization and effective use of light demonstrate why Tiepolo remains one of the most revered draftsmen of the Venetian Rococo era. Today, the work is available through the museum’s digitized holdings, allowing scholars to study this example of the public domain artwork, and high-quality prints help illuminate the mastery of this significant piece for modern audiences.