A Shepherd with two Magicians, from the Scherzi

"A Shepherd with two Magicians, from the Scherzi" is a seminal etching by the Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, executed sometime between 1725 and 1780. This particular piece is classified as a print, demonstrating Tiepolo's sophisticated technique in the medium of etching, where fine, sharp lines create delicate atmospheric effects.

The artwork belongs to Tiepolo’s celebrated Scherzi di Fantasia (Jokes of the Imagination) series, a collection of graphic works marked by deeply atmospheric qualities and esoteric, non-narrative subjects. Unlike his grand frescoes, the Scherzi allowed the artist to explore cryptic, often melancholy scenes that blended classical ruins with elements of the occult and the pastoral. This work stages an intriguing encounter between a solitary figure identified as a shepherd and two imposing magicians, who stand contemplating a skull or engaging in arcane practice.

Tiepolo utilized the etching technique to achieve rich, dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, heightening the sense of mystery inherent in the subject matter. The subtle variations in line weight capture the textures of worn stone and heavy drapery, establishing a somber mood typical of his graphic output. These smaller, intensely imaginative prints cemented Tiepolo’s legacy in 18th-century graphic arts, showing a side of the artist more introspective than his public decorative work.

The original artwork is held in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it serves as a prime example of the Venetian Rococo master’s contributions to printmaking. As the work resides in the public domain, high-resolution prints of this influential piece are widely available for academic study and appreciation.