Seated Woman Crowned by Angel

The drawing Seated Woman Crowned by Angel is tentatively attributed to the celebrated Venetian master, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, or perhaps to a skilled but unknown Italian artist working across the 18th century. This piece is classified as a drawing, offering key insight into the preparatory techniques and artistic styles prevalent in Italy during the period when Baroque traditions yielded to the Rococo.

The medium itself is richly layered, executed primarily in pen and brown ink, strengthened by a deliberate brush and gray wash, applied over traces of preliminary sketching in black chalk. The complex layering-on tan wove paper, further laid down on ivory laid paper-is characteristic of preserved studies from the era. Whether executed by Tiepolo himself or a close follower, the work displays the swift, confident draftsmanship synonymous with the master's style.

The subject depicts a seated woman receiving a crown from a hovering angel, a motif often associated with allegorical figures, virtuous saints, or patrons receiving divine favor. The use of brown ink and expansive gray wash creates dramatic contrasts, capturing light and shadow with quick, assured strokes. Such masterful use of chiaroscuro in ink studies was a hallmark of the 18th century Italian tradition, utilized both for independent works and as preparatory steps for larger ceiling frescoes or altarpieces.

This compelling example of 18th-century Italian artistry is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a significant historical drawing contributing to the understanding of the Venetian school, this work ensures the legacy of Tiepolo is preserved. While the original drawing is carefully housed, high-quality prints and digital reproductions of the work are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring its influence extends beyond the museum walls.