Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo etched the series Raccolta di teste after original paintings and drawings by his father, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, in two stages. The first series of 27 etchings was finished by 1757, while the second series of 33 portraits of philosophers was executed by Domenico after his father’s death in 1770. The 60 etchings were published in two albums, each of which contained 30 plates and a title page. The present sheet figured in the second album, in the second state, as number 18. The head in this etching is taken from the standing figure in blue in Giovanni Battista’s painting The Banquet of Cleopatra at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. No study sheet after this figure by Domenico seems to have survived, however.

A very fine, early impression with wide margins, before the number 18. Minor handling traces in the lower margin, otherwise in excellent condition. From the collection of Franz Goldstein, Vienna (Lugt 1105b, collection mark on verso).