Time Holding a Nude Woman, a Putto at Right

"Time Holding a Nude Woman, a Putto at Right" is a powerful and characteristic drawing by the Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770). This preparatory or independent work exemplifies Tiepolo's sophisticated draughtsmanship, which defined the Venetian Rococo and late Baroque periods. The technique employed includes pen and brown ink, skillfully combined with a brush applying pale and dark brown washes, laid over preliminary sketching conducted in leadpoint or black chalk on the recto. The masterful use of varied wash tones creates intense contrast, providing the figures with dramatic volume and movement characteristic of his large-scale decorative projects.

The drawing depicts a classic allegorical confrontation, featuring the stark figure of Time, symbolized by the elderly, winged man, holding the figure of a Female Nude. The nude often symbolizes Beauty or Mortality, captured or claimed by the passage of time. A small Putto is positioned dynamically at the right, further grounding the mythological or classical setting. Tiepolo frequently utilized such dynamic allegorical compositions in his extensive commissions across Europe. The rapid yet controlled handling visible in the brushwork suggests this may have served as a study for a grander ceiling fresco or painting cycle. This vital piece of 18th-century graphic art is preserved in the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Given the historical importance of the work, high-quality prints are often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread accessibility for art historical study.