Scherzi di Fantasia: Magician Pointing Out a Burning Head to Two Youths

Scherzi di Fantasia: Magician Pointing Out a Burning Head to Two Youths by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo is a remarkable example of 18th-century Italian printmaking. Executed in the etching medium between approximately 1745 and 1765, this print belongs to Tiepolo’s enigmatic graphic series known as Scherzi di Fantasia (Caprices of Fantasy). This body of work contrasts sharply with the grand decorative frescoes for which the Venetian master is best known, instead offering mysterious compositions populated by magicians, philosophers, and esoteric imagery.

The scene features a central, cloaked figure, presumably the titular magician, gesturing dramatically toward a disembodied, burning head resting on a pedestal or altar. Two younger figures stand nearby, drawn into the arcane display. Tiepolo’s sophisticated handling of the etching needle transforms the theatrical subject matter into a highly atmospheric study. He utilized dense networks of fine lines and deep, velvety shadows to intensify the drama, enhancing the cryptic nature of this seemingly ritualistic moment.

These prints offer a valuable insight into the private intellectual interests of the artist, diverging from his public commissions. As a leading figure of the Rococo period in Italy, Tiepolo’s graphic works remain crucial to understanding 18th-century draftsmanship and subject development. This impression of Scherzi di Fantasia: Magician Pointing Out a Burning Head to Two Youths is preserved in the extensive collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, representing a significant example of the period's output. Given its age, this powerful work is considered public domain material, ensuring its widespread availability for study and appreciation globally.