The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saint Sebastian and a Franciscan Saint

The drawing The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saint Sebastian and a Franciscan Saint by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770) exemplifies the Venetian master's dynamic preparatory style for major altarpiece commissions. Executed with remarkable fluidity, this drawing utilizes a complex combination of techniques: pen and brown ink, combined with brush and brown wash, dramatically heightened with white gouache. Tiepolo built these layers over an initial sketch of black chalk on beige paper, demonstrating his rapid yet precise compositional process.

The central subject is the majestic Madonna and Child, regally enthroned and elevated above kneeling saints. To the right stands the figure of Saint Sebastian, recognizable by his youth and exposed, classical male nudity, bound to a post and pierced by arrows, symbolizing martyrdom. Opposite him kneels a Franciscan Saint, identified by his humble habit and piety. The iconography is reinforced by the presence of small, active Angels surrounding the Cross held aloft above the throne, providing a celestial context for the earthly devotion depicted.

Created during Tiepolo’s highly productive career, spanning the late Baroque and early Rococo periods, this drawing showcases his unparalleled ability to create luminosity and theatrical drama even in monochromatic media. The work is classified as a master Drawing and is held in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its historical significance and age, this artwork is frequently found in the public domain, making high-quality reference prints accessible for study and appreciation worldwide.