The Investiture of Bishop Harold as Duke of Franconia
Tiepolo made this oil sketch in preparation for a fresco in an elaborately stuccoed and gilded reception room completed in 1752 for the prince‑bishop’s palace in Würzburg, present-day Germany. It represents an event in the city’s history that helped to celebrate and legitimize the region’s rulers: in 1168, Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa gave Harold of Hochheim, Bishop of Würzburg, the title of Duke of Franconia.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Investiture of Bishop Harold as Duke of Franconia
- Artist: Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (Italian, Venice 1696–1770 Madrid)
- Date: ca. 1751–52
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 28 1/4 x 20 1/4 in. (71.8 x 51.4 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, 1871
- Object Number: 71.121
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.