Six people watching a snake, from the Scherzi

Six people watching a snake, from the Scherzi by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, is a sophisticated example of 18th-century Venetian printmaking. Executed during the artist’s mature period, likely between 1738 and 1755, this work is an etching and represents the rare first state of two. This superb impression is permanently held within the esteemed prints and drawings collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This piece belongs to the Scherzi di fantasia (Fanciful Caprices), a set of 23 original etchings Tiepolo created during his career. Unlike his monumental fresco cycles, the Scherzi series offers a glimpse into a private, highly enigmatic side of the artist's imagination, characterized by loosely connected figures engaged in mysterious actions. The composition depicts a tightly grouped assembly of men and women gathered in a ruinous setting. The figures, captured in dramatic poses, peer downwards at the titular subject: a snake resting at the base of the scene, lending the image an air of ancient ritual or arcane observation.

Tiepolo used the etching technique masterfully, employing delicate lines and controlled areas of cross-hatching to create dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, a signature element of his graphic output. The subject matter—featuring grouped individuals, often focusing on philosophers, soldiers, and spectators—is typical of the series, demonstrating Tiepolo’s innovative departure from traditional narrative subjects toward atmospheric caprices. As one of the most important masters of the Italian Rococo, Tiepolo’s prints fundamentally influenced graphic artists throughout the 18th century. Today, high-resolution prints of this historical work are often available through the public domain, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide access to Tiepolo's enduring genius.