Venetian Soldiers Attacking Constantinople (recto)

1598/1605

Domenico Tintoretto

Associated Names
Domenico Tintoretto

Artist, Venetian, 1560 - 1635

The image consists of swirling lines and dynamic forms that convey motion. It shows elongated figures appearing to march or engage in a processional action, with shapes resembling flags or banners. The scene suggests a busy urban parade or a theatrical performance, where the figures are participating collectively. Strong diagonal elements and contrasting colors create depth and organized chaos, forming a visually striking and complex narrative.

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Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

This is a drawing of stylized forms depicting a figure with flowing lines. The artwork consists of loose, curved lines and dark smudges against a light brown background. The lines suggest a figure with intricate detailing, possibly with hair or other flowing elements, giving it a sense of movement and organic forms. The shading and the sketchy nature of the lines give it an unfinished yet expressive quality. The interplay of lines and shading creates a textural depth within the composition.

Two Male Figures in Motion (verso)

Domenico Tintoretto

1598

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Sohn-Rethel Collection, Rome. (Douwes Fine Art Ltd., London); Wolfgang Ratjen [1943-1997], Vaduz and Munich; purchased 2007 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1995

  • Fünfzig italienische Zeichnungen des 16. - 18. Jahrhunderts aus der Stiftung Ratjen, Vaduz. Liechtensteinischen Staatlichen Kunstsammlung, Vaduz. Bern, 1995, no. 8.

1996

  • Italian Drawings from the Ratjen Foundation, Vaduz. The Frick Collection, New York. Bern, 1996, no. 8.

2011

  • Italian Master Drawings from the Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, 1525-1835, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2011, no. 20.

2014

  • The Poetry of Light - La poesia della luce: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, Museo Correr, Venice, Venice, 2014 - 2015, no. 38.

2018

  • Drawing in Tintoretto's Venice, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2018 - 2019, no. 62 (fig. 130), repro.

Bibliography

1926

  • Hadeln, Detlev, Freiherr von. Venezianische Zeichnungen der Spätrenaissance. Berlin, 1926: 26.

1944

  • Tietze, Hans, and Erika Tietze-Conrat. The Drawings of the Venetian Painters in the 15th and 16th Centuries. New York, 1944: 267, no. 1546, pl. CXXII, figs. 1-2.

1952

  • Meister, Peter Wilhelm. "Zu den Erwerbungen der Graphischen Sammlung." Jahrbuch der Hamburger Kunstsammlungen 2 (1952): 25.

1995

  • Lachenmann, David. Fünfzig italienische Zeichnungen des 16. - 18. Jahrhunderts aus der Stiftung Ratjen, Vaduz. Vaduz, 1995: no. 8.

1996

  • Lachenmann, David. Italian Drawings from the Ratjen Foundation, Vaduz. Exh. cat. The Frick Collection, New York. Bern, 1996: no. 8.

2001

  • Roettig, Petra, Annamarie Stefes, and Andreas Stolzenburg. Von Dürer bis Goya: 100 Meisterzeichnungen aus dem Kupferstichkabinett der Hamburger Kusnsthalle. Hamburger Kunsthalle. Hamburg, 2001: 42-43, under no. 16 (entry by Stolzenburg).

2008

  • Klemm, David, Hubertus Gassner, and Andreas Stolzenburg. Von Leonardo bis Piranesi: Italienische Zeichnungen von 1450 bis 1800 aus dem Kupferstichkabinett der Hamburger Kunsthalle. Hamburger Kunsthalle. Bremen, 2008: 124, 229 note 2, under no. 55 (entry by Klemm).

2009

  • Klemm, David. Italienische Zeichnungen 1450-1800. Die Sammlungen der Hamburger Kunsthalle Kupferstichkabinett, Bd. 2. 3 vols. Cologne, 2009, 1: 348, under no. 530.

2011

  • Italian Drawings from the Wolfgang Ratjen Collection 1525-1835. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2011: 53-55.

2018

  • Marciari, John.Drawing in Tintoretto's Venice. Exh. cat. Morgan Library & Museum, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2018-2019: 161, no. 62 (fig. 130).

Wikidata ID

Q64541082

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