Three magicians burning a snake, from the Scherzi

"Three magicians burning a snake, from the Scherzi" is a distinctive etching by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, executed during the period 1738-1755. This fine print, classified as the first state of two, belongs to Tiepolo’s celebrated series of fifteen capricci known collectively as the Scherzi di fantasia (Jests of Fantasy). Created in the vibrant artistic environment of 18th-century Venice, this series marked a significant moment in the artist's engagement with the print medium, moving beyond reproductive work into original compositions of an often enigmatic nature.

The composition features a gathering of figures engaged in arcane activities. At the center, three older Men, designated as Magicians by their attire and focused actions, are shown presiding over the burning of a large snake on a small, contained fire. The ritualistic scene is observed by surrounding figures, including a young Girl. Consistent with the capriccio genre, the subject matter remains deliberately obscure, combining elements of classical ruin, mystical ritual, and pastoral study. Nearby, details such as discarded books and a visible musical instrument add to the atmosphere of learned, yet inexplicable, endeavor. Tiepolo’s deft handling of the etching needle provides sharp definition while maintaining the atmospheric shadow characteristic of his graphic work.

Tiepolo’s Scherzi are considered masterworks of Italian printmaking. This particular etching, like many key works by the great masters, is available for study as a public domain print, demonstrating the lasting influence of 18th-century Italian art. This example of Three magicians burning a snake, from the Scherzi is held in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serving as a primary resource for understanding the graphic genius of the Venetian Baroque period.