This painting by Giambattista Tiepolo is considered a masterpiece of the Baroque tradition in Venice. Woman With A Mandolin captures the ideal of feminine beauty in its depiction of a young woman holding a musical instrument. Tiepolo, who worked mainly in the Rococo style, was the leading exponent of this particular Italian art movement.
Inspired by Rosalba Carriera’s pastel portraits, Tiepolo executed at least 4 fancy dress portraits of young women. This painting is one of them, and it portrays a young lady dressed in elaborate clothing with an engaging smile on her face. The sensuous poetry that emanates from its luminous skin portrayed through melting brushwork heightens the artwork’s allure.
Aside from his Rococo style paintings and prints; Tiepolo also had made grand-scale wall frescoes with imaginative decorative themes that are light-colored and airy. He executed works ranging from large frescoes to etchings and drawings; all underpinning his genius and versatility as an artist.