Saint Mary Magdalene Lifted by Angels is a powerful and dynamic drawing executed by the celebrated Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in 1740. This work, a critical example of eighteenth-century draftsmanship, captures the spiritual ecstasy and physical ascent of the penitent saint, who is borne heavenward by two robust angels. The scene utilizes the expressive characteristics of the Rococo movement, emphasizing dramatic movement, emotional fervor, and ethereal light, typical of the mature style of the artist.
The drawing is primarily rendered using pen and brown ink with a vigorous brown wash applied over preliminary sketches in black chalk upon laid paper. Tiepolo uses the contrast between the dark, quickly applied ink lines and the broad, translucent washes to create volume and depth, defining the figures and soaring drapery with rapid assurance. The technique highlights the swiftness of Tiepolo’s hand, giving the celestial figures a weightless quality suitable for a heavenly vision. This high degree of finish suggests the piece may have served either as a modello (a presentation drawing) or a detailed study for a specific commission, possibly a ceiling fresco or altarpiece.
As one of the most influential painters working within the flourishing Italian artistic culture during the period of 1726 to 1750, Tiepolo specialized in conveying dramatic narratives that blended religious tradition with theatrical brilliance. His drawings are highly valued for the insight they provide into his working methods, revealing the artist’s masterful control over light and composition before transferring his ideas to a grand scale. The emphasis on diagonal movement and the dissolution of earthly boundaries reinforces the Baroque legacy that defined Venetian art of the era. This significant work, Saint Mary Magdalene Lifted by Angels, is currently held within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of its age and importance, the drawing is often digitized for the public domain, making high-quality prints widely accessible for scholarly study and general appreciation.
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