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拍品 308
GIOVANNI BATTISTA TIEPOLO (1696-1770)
Time revealing Truth
已結束2025年10月16日
成交價
GBP 50,800
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專家說明
This large drawing is a first study, with several variations, for an impressive painting of the same subject commissioned by a Veronese patron, now in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (inv. no. 61.1200). The canvas has been dated to 1758 (M. Gemin & F. Pedrocco, Giambattista Tiepolo - I dipinti - Opera completa, Venice, 1993, no. 471(ill.)).
The complex iconography is an example for Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s remarkable ability to depict abstract concepts through allegories and personifications. Here the artist represents Time bringing Truth out of darkness, illustrating the concept, first elaborated in ancient Greek philosophy, that nothing can be concealed forever. Time is depicted as an old winged man with a scythe nearby, the symbol of death. Truth is embodied by a beautiful young woman, who is partially covered by a transparent veil. Her emblem, the shining sun, is seen next to her. Cupid, with his quiver of arrows, represents earthly love rendered powerless by Time.
Tiepolo returned to the subject of Time and Truth repeatedly in drawings, paintings and fresco decorations throughout his career.
The complex iconography is an example for Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s remarkable ability to depict abstract concepts through allegories and personifications. Here the artist represents Time bringing Truth out of darkness, illustrating the concept, first elaborated in ancient Greek philosophy, that nothing can be concealed forever. Time is depicted as an old winged man with a scythe nearby, the symbol of death. Truth is embodied by a beautiful young woman, who is partially covered by a transparent veil. Her emblem, the shining sun, is seen next to her. Cupid, with his quiver of arrows, represents earthly love rendered powerless by Time.
Tiepolo returned to the subject of Time and Truth repeatedly in drawings, paintings and fresco decorations throughout his career.