Soldiers Around a Monument

"Soldiers Around a Monument" by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, created between 1743 and 1745, is a masterful example of 18th-century Venetian draftsmanship. This detailed drawing was executed using pen and brown ink and brown wash, dramatically enhanced by the selective use of white heightening laid over an initial sketch in black chalk. This sophisticated technique showcases Tiepolo’s celebrated skill in capturing light and depth on paper, resulting in figures that possess a striking, almost sculptural, presence.

The composition centers on a group of men, primarily soldiers in dramatic, active postures, gathered around the base of a towering, classical monument. The structure, rendered with architectural precision, provides a powerful sense of scale and serves as a theatrical backdrop for the figures. Tiepolo frequently utilized such drawings, featuring soldiers and architectural ruins, not only as independent works but also as conceptual studies for his massive fresco cycles or large-scale oil paintings. The dynamism and characteristic handling of light evident here place this piece firmly within the artist's mature Rococo style.

This exceptional drawing is preserved in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Tiepolo’s command of wash and line makes the work significant, illustrating the period’s fascination with classical forms and military subjects. As one of the most important surviving studies from the middle of the 18th century, the piece offers valuable insight into the artist’s prolific output and his imaginative ability to convey mood and atmosphere through graphic media.