Her dark, tense style contrasted with the dominant pastel colors of the late Baroque era.

[2] Giulia Lama (alias Lisalba Arcadia), was born in the parish of Santa Maria Formosa in Venice.

Later, she studied alongside a childhood friend, Giambattista Piazzetta (1682–1754), at the Scuola di Antonio Molinari in Venice.

[4] A letter written by the Abate Conti to Madame de Caylus in March 1728 has been important in determining Lama's background and character.

As a highly trained professional, she was just as capable of painting a sensitive portrait such as Young Man with a Turban as she was of carrying out large, original commissions, such as altarpieces, with confidence.

[6] Recovery of Lama's oeuvre has required reattribution of works by not only Piazzetta, but also artists such as Federico Bencovich, Domenico Maggiotto, Francesco Capella, and Zurbarán among others.

I believe that it is not difficult to invent such apparatus, and whomever [whoever] is successful would make a great deal of money and would reduce the expenses for women's labor.

One way that Lama would have been able to study the male figure in her daily life was likely by observing the workmen at the Venetian Arsenal, where she was documented to visit frequently.

[3] Two years prior to Abbot Contis' letter, Luisa Bergaiii Gozzi (1703–1779) discussed Lama's accomplishments: "... Lisalba Arcadia [Giulia Lama], most erudite in philosophy, a well renowned painter, so much so that the main churches try to have her works, and in particular some altarpieces, she acquired great honors in her manner of painting.

"[3] Lama received the important commission to paint the altarpiece for her parish church, Santa Maria Formosa in the Sestiere of Castello, in 1722.

Lama received another important commission around 1750: to paint a Crucifixion scene for an altar in San Vidal.

Now hear what sort and how great a trouble, Arose against us from so blind an act, Because if pity has no value in you May loathing of your misdeed at least overtake you.

if only I could unfold in a longer discourse, In clearer and more precise language, The lofty cause That encumbers everyone's heart: And I would hope, perhaps, for our common grief That pity might still issue forth from you.

Handsome, young, and gentle of aspect Soft and kind of word was Sforza; These graces shone in a frail body; Seldom does Heaven deign to send Here on earth, one equal To a soul so wise and prudent Enshrined here justly in the veil of a mortal form, Therefore, proudly does our age do him honor Though you have turned him away before his time.

What availed it ever to hear the wise voices Reading his learned maxims and the poems Which I seem to hear still in my heart Arousing pity and placating fierce wraths, And his intellect more adroit than any other's To understand lofty matters, And explain the most abstruse ideas; And through wise and shrewd perception; It availed only to see that a great adventure Passes away, and never endures for long.

Slight relief in the horrible house Which canceled out such great hopes Together with his knowledge, And wherefore everyone here has remained disheartened.

The record states: "Lady Giulia, the daughter of Agostino Lama, of about 66 years of age, ill with acute fever due to a skin disease, which degenerated in convulsions, on the 8th day, died today at 21 hours"[3] She was buried at the Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo.