Giovanni Battista Piazzetta (Venice, 1682-1754) was a famous Venetian painter. After studying in his father Giacomo’s workshop (sculptor and wood carver) and coming into contact with many of the top exponents of Venetian Naturalism in the late 1600s, Piazzetta was influenced by Giuseppe Maria Crespi of Bologna and Francesco Solimena of Naples.

He thus created paintings with a strong plastic structure, full of dramatic chiaroscuro effects and sensitivity that would then have a profound influence on Giambattista Tiepolo. He also became famous outside the Venice area. In 1750, Piazetta became the director of the school of nudes at Venice’s Accademia delle Belle Arti on account of his artistic merits.

Piazetta mainly painted religious works (altarpieces), general subjects and drawings. His best works are: The Martyrdom of St. Jacob (1717, Church of San Stae, Venice); Country Maid Removing Fleas (1734, Fine Arts Museum, Boston); Ecstasy of St. Francis (1732, Pinacoteca di Vicenza); Our Lady of Assumption (1735, Musee du Lille, France); Rebecca at the Well (1738, Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan); L’indovina (1740, Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice); Death of Dario (1745, Ca' Rezzonico, Venice); Nuda (1750, a drawing in the Alverà Collection, Venice).

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