Queen Zenobia Addressing Her Soldiers
1727 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This oil on canvas painting depicts the Palmyrene queen Zenobia standing before her troops, likely intended as a decorative canvas. It is part of a series that demonstrates Tiepolo's mastery of theatrical composition and luminous color palettes.
Did you know?
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, a master of the Venetian Rococo, created this work early in his career as part of a cycle depicting the life of the warrior queen Zenobia. The series was commissioned for the Ca' Zenobio degli Armeni in Venice, a palace named after the queen, symbolizing the family's desire to associate themselves with her legendary strength and nobility. The theatrical posture and expansive, bright sky characteristic of this piece helped solidify Tiepolo's reputation as one of the greatest decorative painters of the 18th century.
On your wall. Unlock the HD download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
Queen Zenobia Addressing Her Soldiers
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1727
