Follow the history of Italian painting and you see saints, the holy family, mythical heroes and heroines, attendant angels, putti, ladies in waiting and men at arms hustled along by tides of fashion. Dress changes, deportment is adjusted, and the action is taken to brighter or to shadier stages. One journey is from decorous order, on through majestic assurance, to fluttering brilliance. The work of Giambattista Tiepolo marks a late stage on that route. A small, very enjoyable exhibition of his oil sketches (the greater part from the Courtauld's own collection) and drawings (many from the V&A) can be seen at the Courtauld Institute of Art until 29 May.

LRB 23 March 2006 | PDF Download