The Discovery of the Tomb of Punchinello, from Scherzi

The Discovery of the Tomb of Punchinello, from Scherzi by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo Italian, 1696–1770, is an exemplary work of 18th-century Italian graphic art. Executed between 1735 and 1740, this piece is an etching printed in black on paper, showcasing the artist’s mastery of line and shadow within the intimate medium of prints. While Tiepolo is globally celebrated for his expansive Baroque frescoes, his smaller graphic works provide a crucial insight into his inventive imagination and technical dexterity as a draftsman.

This work belongs to the artist’s highly influential series known as the Scherzi di fantasia (Caprices of the Imagination), a collection characterized by its mysterious, fragmented settings and evocative subject matter. The composition features a curious blend of ancient ruins and contemporary fantasy figures, a common trope in the capriccio genre. Several figures, often interpreted as magi or observers, are gathered around a freshly uncovered tomb, which presumably belongs to the iconic theatrical character Punchinello, a traditional masked figure originating from the Italian commedia dell'arte.

Tiepolo’s use of the etching technique allows for dramatic contrasts in tonality, lending the scene an enigmatic, theatrical atmosphere. The blending of satirical reference (Punchinello) with classical reverence (the tomb and ruins) exemplifies the intellectual currents of mid-18th-century Italy. The Scherzi series, alongside the artist's earlier Capricci, solidified Tiepolo's reputation beyond grand decoration. This impression of the work is preserved within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.