Caricature of a Man in Profile Wearing a Tall Cap
Drawing on paper • Circle of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo or Domenico Tiepolo
Style & Movement
Italian Rococo / Venetian School
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink (likely iron gall ink) using rapid cross-hatching and calligraphic line work.
Creation Period
Mid-to-late 18th Century (c. 1740–1780)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 15 cm; vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A profile study or 'caricature' of a man with a beard and a prominent nose, wearing a tall, decorated Phrygian or conical cap typical of Punchinello-style figures or Venetian street characters.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Poor to Fair; the support suffers from a significant diagonal tear and edge losses.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD (heavily dependent on condition and attribution)
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,500 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; the style indicates a Venetian workshop origin, likely part of a larger album of figure studies common in 18th-century collections.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 'Teste di Carattere' tradition of the Tiepolo family, showcasing the transition from High Baroque to the more whimsical and observational style of the Rococo.
Notable Features
The nervous, energetic line work and specific hatching patterns are highly characteristic of the Venetian school; the 'cap' is a recurring motif in Tiepolo's 'Scherzi' and 'Capricci' series.
Condition Issues
Major diagonal tear across the upper left, paper oxidation (browning), foxing spots, and tattered edges with losses to the support.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional paper stabilization: structural repair of the tear, deacidification, and mounting on Japanese tissue paper for support. Framing with UV-protective glass and acid-free mats.