The Glorification of the Giustiniani Family, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1783)

Tiepolo’s The Glorification of the Giustiniani Family served as a preparatory oil sketch for a monumental ceiling fresco in the ducal palace of Genoa. The composition teems with allegorical figures, flowing movement, and mythological references, celebrating the prestige and influence of the Giustiniani family. At the center, the kneeling patriarch is acknowledged by a personification of Liguria, while a female figure representing Chios alludes to the family’s historical trade and governance. Surrounding gods and classical personifications reinforce their noble legacy, transforming lineage into allegorical grandeur. Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1727–1804) was a master of the Venetian Rococo, known for his luminous palette, fluid brushwork, and theatrical compositions. His work often combined allegory and portraiture, creating scenes that elevated both subject and setting. In this preparatory sketch, Tiepolo demonstrates his skill in perspective, celestial motifs, and compositional dynamis