The Venetian painter Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, also known as Giandomenico Tiepolo, was the son of Giambattista Tiepolo, under whom he studied, from an early age showing considerable artistic talent. Although he started his career mainly following the religious and mythological subjects of his father, the younger Tiepolo was particularly renowned for his genre subjects, depicting scenes from everyday life and entertainments such as popular theatre. He produced numerous decorative schemes, as well as easel paintings, for wealthy patrons in Venice and the surrounding areas, in both private and public buildings.
In 1762 he travelled with his father to Madrid, where he stayed until the older Tiepolo’s death in 1770, upon which Giandomenico returned to Venice. In his latter years, his drawings and prints, as well as paintings, were popular among the mercantile classes of Venice. During this time, he developed a special fascination with the commedia dell’arte, namely the figure of Pulcinella, of whom he made 104 drawings in the series Entertainments for the Children.
