The Glorification of the Barbaro Family

The Glorification of the Barbaro Family, painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo between 1745 and 1755, is a masterful oil on canvas that exemplifies the dazzling dynamism of the Venetian Rococo style. This expansive painting, held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was likely a modello (preparatory study) for a vast fresco commissioned by the powerful Barbaro family to celebrate their lineage and virtues.

Tiepolo, recognized for his virtuosity in handling large-scale decorative programs, utilized brilliant color and theatrical lighting to create a scene of celestial ascent. The composition is structured by dramatic diagonal lines, emphasizing the upward movement of the figures into the brilliant sky. Numerous individuals, including richly dressed men and women, are depicted ascending on clouds, signifying the family’s apotheosis or glorification. Below them, allegorical figures frame the earthbound scene.

The aerial realm is dominated by winged putti and cherubs, standard figures in 18th-century glorification iconography, who guide the ascending figures. Tiepolo’s confident brushwork and skill in the sotto in sù (seen from below) perspective contribute to the overwhelming sense of space and movement, characteristic of his late period. This work highlights Tiepolo's role as the preeminent European ceiling painter, influencing subsequent generations. Due to its historical significance and artistic merit, the image is frequently studied, and high-quality prints of this Venetian masterpiece are often sought after for research and educational materials.