The Discovery of the Tomb of Punchinello, from the Scherzi

The Discovery of the Tomb of Punchinello, from the Scherzi by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, is an exemplary etching created between 1738 and 1755. This work is part of the artist's celebrated series known as the Scherzi di fantasia (Caprices of the Imagination), a sequence of prints that allowed Tiepolo to explore esoteric and melancholic subjects beyond his usual grand decorative fresco commissions.

The medium of etching, combined with delicate drypoint touches, allows Tiepolo to render a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, defining the archaic ruins and the figures clustered around them. The scene is one of mysterious revelation: a group of robed men and classically draped women are gathered in contemplation or ritualistic action at a newly unearthed sarcophagus, dedicated to the popular commedia dell'arte character, Punchinello.

This piece, like many of the Scherzi, defies simple narrative explanation, instead focusing on themes of mortality, ancient secrets, and the absurdity of life. The foreground is littered with evocative details, including broken columns and creeping vegetation. Prominently integrated into the composition are several snakes, winding through the stonework, perhaps symbolizing renewal or the chthonic knowledge unearthed with the tomb itself.

This significant 18th-century Venetian print is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These masterworks demonstrate Tiepolo's profound artistic versatility; his graphic output is recognized as highly influential, and prints derived from the original plates are often available through public domain archives, securing their place in art historical discourse.