The Departure of the Gondola, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (mid-1760s)

The Departure of the Gondola, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (mid-1760s) While the younger Tiepolo followed in his father’s footsteps in creating elaborate decorative compositions, he developed a distinct voice through his refined portrayals of Venetian life. His figures are rendered with tighter brushwork and a characteristic silvery sheen, and his scenes often feature lively, narrative details. In this painting, Carnival season is suggested by the white masks (morette) and black veils (bautte) worn by the figures, as well as the enclosed gondola cabins (felzi) used during the chilly February festivities. The presence of two liveried men in blue and white points to Venice’s diverse social fabric, highlighting the roles of enslaved and formerly enslaved people of color, many of whom worked as gondoliers. Cotton and polyester canvas on Radiata pine wood frame sourced from renewable forests. Includes back mounting.