The Baptism of Christ (with Two Ducks in the Water at Lower Right) (ca. 1770–90)

We are delighted to feature Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo's exquisite work, "The Baptism of Christ (with Two Ducks in the Water at Lower Right)" from around 1770-1790, in our collection. This ink and brush drawing vividly captures a significant scene of religious grace and community.The artwork portrays the central event of Christ being baptized by John the Baptist. Christ, depicted with an aura of solemnity and divine grace, stands slightly hunched under John’s hand, receiving the sacred rites of baptism. The figure of John the Baptist, robust and intense, commands attention at the center as he pours water over Christ. His gesture is both gentle and purposeful, symbolizing the spiritual significance of the baptism.Above, the heavens have opened up, and the Holy Spirit descends as a dove surrounded by angels, adding a celestial aura to the scene. The other figures, sketched with dynamic strokes, seem to be witnesses to this holy event, each absorbed in the moment, conveying a collective reverence.A delightful detail in this rather spiritually charged painting is the inclusion of everyday life, illustrated by two ducks calmly floating in the water at the lower right corner of the drawing. This touch not only grounds the divine scene into the realm of the earthly and familiar but also adds a quaint charm to the overall composition.Tiepolo's mastery in using wash and ink creates a fluid and expressive outline that brings this biblical episode to life with motion and emotion, making the scene feel immediate and powerful. The light washes suggest a divinity that fills the landscape, enhancing the ethereal quality of this religious tableau.