Giambattista Tiepolo is one of the most prominent Venetian painters of the 18th century; a renowned artist known mainly for his works in wall frescoes, paintings and etchings. He founded and headed a successful family workshop, creating pieces characterised by the Rococo style. One of his best-known works is ‘Rinaldo and Armida in the Garden: detail’, which was completed around 1752. This masterpiece showcases Tiepolo’s talent as an innovative painter, combining vibrant colours with dramatic painting techniques to create a captivating landscape.
Tiepolo has become an important member of the Venetian School and has influenced many contemporary artists around the world, including Wayne Thiebaud whose Reservoir from 1999 echoes the tone and composition from Tiepolo’s work. Reservoir features a unique visual language, which draws strongly on 19th century European painting tradition juxtaposed with subtle examples of American craftsmanship. The painting perfectly embodies Thiebaud’s distinctive style layered with influences from outside sources such as Tiepolo.