Artist Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (Italian, August 30, 1727–March 3, 1804)
Title The Holy Family with the Bending Palm
Series A New Testament
Date 1786–1790
Medium Brown ink and wash over black chalk on paper
Dimensions Image: 18 3/8 x 14 3/16 in. (46.7 x 36 cm)
Sheet: 19 3/16 x 15 1/16 in. (48.7 x 38.3 cm)
Framed: 27 1/4 × 23 1/4 × 1 1/2 in. (69.2 × 59.1 × 3.8 cm)
Credit Line The Anthony Moravec Collection of Old Master Drawings, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 2010.114
About this Work
The son of the famous Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Domenico was also a noted draftsman. His graphic style, more earthbound and rooted in observation than his father’s, bears his distinctive trembling line quality. Domenico worked in serial narratives, including his New Testament cycle, numbering at least 320 sheets. This image is one of twelve drawings from this important series in Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art’s collection (Eskenazi Museum of Art 2010.111-.122). By combining narrative elements from a variety of literary sources with details of daily life, Domenico brought new life to these biblical stories.
The Holy Family resting beneath a bending palm was the most iconic event of their many adventures during the Flight into Egypt. Domenico Tiepolo shows a particularly luxuriant palm, which at Jesus’s command has obligingly lowered itself so that Mary can collect its fruit while comfortably seated. Joseph and the family’s angel escort stand among the fronds industriously gathering fruit. Domenico referenced a less famous legend of the lions and leopards who piously adored Jesus during the journey. The donkey’s relaxed demeanor suggests the felines have been part of the retinue for some time, helping to guard the Holy Family.
