The Holy Family, Saint Joseph with a Book

The Holy Family, Saint Joseph with a Book by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo Italian, 1696–1770, is a masterful example of 18th-century Italian draftsmanship, executed between 1750 and 1759. Classified as a drawing, this powerful work utilizes a complex combination of mediums, primarily pen and brown iron gall ink combined with brush and brown wash. Tiepolo further defined the forms using black chalk on both the recto and verso of the off-white laid paper, which was subsequently secured onto an ivory laid paper backing, showcasing the preparatory intensity the artist brought to even smaller studies.

The drawing captures a moment of quiet domesticity and piety, focused on the central figures of the Holy Family. Saint Joseph is shown characteristically engaged in study, his attention focused on the book from which the work derives its secondary title. This emphasis on Joseph’s intellectual engagement contrasts slightly with popular iconography of the period, which often centered solely on the Virgin and Child. The expressive use of the brown wash demonstrates Tiepolo’s characteristic dramatic lighting and his rapid, fluent handling of media, traits typical of his prolific output as he moved toward the height of his career.

As one of the most celebrated Italian masters of the late Baroque and Rococo periods, Tiepolo’s preparatory sketches provide crucial insight into his ability to define form and volume with minimal application. The high quality and historical importance of this piece contribute significantly to scholarly understanding of 18th-century drawing techniques. This significant work currently resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. While not currently in the public domain, works from this period frequently inform fine art prints and educational materials worldwide.