Winged Putto Crowning a Seated Woman Who Looks Upward

Winged Putto Crowning a Seated Woman Who Looks Upward by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo is a superb example of the 18th-century Venetian master’s skill in preparatory drawing. Created during his active period (1696-1770), the composition was executed using pen and brown ink, applied alongside a brush utilizing pale and dark brown wash, carefully layered over an initial sketch of black chalk. This complex, layered medium allowed Tiepolo to rapidly define volume, model form, and capture the effects of brilliant light characteristic of his expansive frescoes and large-scale paintings.

The subject focuses intently on the interaction between a female figure and a divine messenger. The seated woman is depicted looking upward in reverence or anticipation, while a winged putto descends from above to place a crown, likely symbolic of victory or virtue, upon her head. Tiepolo masterfully employs the dark wash to accentuate the dramatic shadows and depth, contrasting sharply with the pale wash that catches the light on the figures’ voluminous drapery and forms. The swift, confident execution defines the energetic posture of the putti and the dignified pose of the women, showcasing Tiepolo's famous economy of line.

This drawing is classified within The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s renowned collection of European drawings and illustrates the influential role of rapid-study techniques in the Rococo period. While the work may have served as a study for a larger decorative commission, it stands as a complete artistic statement of the Venetian master's fluency. Thanks to the historical age of the artist and the museum’s commitment to access, high-resolution digital prints are often available through public domain records, providing widespread exposure to Tiepolo’s refined artistry found in works such as Winged Putto Crowning a Seated Woman Who Looks Upward.