250 Years After Tiepolo’s Death: Major Exhibition in Stuttgart

To mark the 250th anniversary of Giambattista Tiepolo’s death on March 27, 2020, the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart opened a major exhibition on October 11, 2019. Titled 'Tiepolo. Il miglior pittore di Venezia' (Tiepolo: The Best Painter of Venice), it is the first German-language retrospective on the Venetian master. Featuring about 120 works—including 25 paintings, over 50 drawings, and several series of prints—the show draws from public and private collections worldwide. Tiepolo (Venice, 1696 – Madrid, 1770) was a leading figure of 18th-century Venetian painting, active in Italy, Würzburg (frescoes at the Residenz for Prince-Bishop Karl Philipp von Greiffenklau), and Madrid (decorations for the new Royal Palace commissioned by Charles III of Spain). His work is noted for brilliant colors, humor, and irony, reflecting societal shifts in the 18th century. The exhibition spans historical, mythological, and religious subjects alongside caricatures, showcasing his versatility. Key works include 'Rest on the Flight into Egypt', 'Saint James' from the Szépművészeti Múzeum in Budapest, an oil sketch for the Würzburg Residenz fresco, and 'The Rape of Europa' from the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice. Contemporary artist Christoph Brech (Schweinfurt, 1964), known for photography and video art, contributes multimedia pieces in dialogue with Tiepolo. The exhibition runs until February 2, 2020.