Major Works

One of his first commissions was in the Friulan town of Udine, from Dionisio Delfino which was considered revolutionary for the Italian Rococo Movement of the 18th Century. He produced a couple of large canvas paintings that were designed to decorate a large reception room at the Ca’ Dolfin that showcased ancient triumphs in battle. His work made him well sought after and in no time many commissions were in line than he could accommodate. He did work on many churches, buildings and residences many of which still stand today as a testament to his grandeur of the Grand Manner style of painting. With his fame spread over the whole of Europe, he was called by the Prince Bishop Karl Philipp in 1750 to Wurzburg, where he painted the ceiling of the newly completed New Residenz Palace which he worked on with one of his sons for three years. One of his most recognized which also happens to be one of the largest frescoes in the world is the Treppenhaus’s Neumann-designed entrance staircase that covers an area of around 7287 square feet or 677 square meters which he completed with his sons.

When he returned to Venice in 1753, the fresco artist was now famous not only in Europe but all over the world with many of his aspiring customer’s being from the rich. He was commissioned to work on villas in the Venetian countryside, such as the one in Villa Valmarana in Vicenza and many others. The royal palace in Madrid was also a location of one of his works which was commissioned to him by Charles the 3rd where he was opposed and envied heavily by Anton Raphael Mengs. The prolific artist died on March 27, 1770 after which the rise of the newer neoclassicism style led to the decline in popularity of the Tiepolo style. This though had very little impact on his works who continue to evoke grandeur and emotion to all who see.

The artist Tiepolo, being the last of the great fresco masters had the ability to convert seemingly single dimensional drawings in to three dimensional works that immerses the viewer into the picture. His figures seem to jump out of their frames and ceilings to involve the emotion and persona of the viewer getting enticing them to seek the finer details of his work. His proper utilization of lighting and knowledge of how it will affect his work is considered to be also a great contributor to the success of the artist. He is able to combine mythological scenery with his current subjects, uplifting them to near status and presentation as gods and other mythical beings. He was much sought after by royalty for his ability to depict glory through his art. He was also known for making sets for opera houses to which even today’s artists employ.