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The Apotheosis of the Spanish Monarchy

1760s
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 643
This is one of two oil sketches at The Met that Tiepolo made in preparation for a painted ceiling in Madrid’s royal palace. Typical of Tiepolo’s practice, the final version incorporates elements of both preliminary sketches while also introducing new ideas. Here, Apollo lithely arrives on a bank of clouds while holding a royal scepter and cradling his lyre, the symbol of his domains of music and art. Mercury, messenger of the gods, presents a crown to the enthroned allegorical figure of Spain. Jupiter commands the scene, while Fame blows a trumpet. At lower left, loosely sketched allegories represent continents meant to be seen as subservient.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Apotheosis of the Spanish Monarchy
  • Artist: Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (Italian, Venice 1696–1770 Madrid)
  • Date: 1760s
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: Oval painted surface, 33 1/8 x 27 1/8 in. (84.1 x 68.9 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1980
  • Object Number: 1980.363
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

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The Apotheosis of the Spanish Monarchy, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo Italian, Oil on canvas
The Apotheosis of the Spanish Monarchy
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
1760s
Adoration of the Magi, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo Italian, Etching
Adoration of the Magi
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
ca. 1753 (?)
Half-dressed Nymph with two children, surrounded by four men, from the Scherzi, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo Italian, Etching
Half-dressed Nymph with two children, surrounded by four men, from the Scherzi
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
ca. 1743–50
St. Joseph with the Child Jesus
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
The Family of the oriental Peasant, from the Scherzi, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo Italian, Etching
The Family of the oriental Peasant, from the Scherzi
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
ca. 1740

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