Various Caprices: The Astrologen and the Young Soldier

Various Caprices: The Astrologen and the Young Soldier by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, executed between 1730 and 1755, is a masterful example of eighteenth-century Italian printmaking. This etching belongs to the influential series known as Vari Capricci (Various Caprices), a collection of twelve plates that showcase the artist’s imaginative flair outside of his large-scale fresco projects. Tiepolo utilized the etching medium to create non-narrative, often melancholy scenes featuring disparate figures like soldiers, philosophers, and exotic individuals in fanciful costume, reflecting a movement away from strict Baroque storytelling towards more enigmatic, suggestive imagery.

In this work, Tiepolo presents an encounter between the Astrologer, identifiable by his scholarly attire and implied wisdom, and a Young Soldier, often seen representing a counterpoint of immediate action or vigilance. Tiepolo’s confident handling of the etching needle provides sharp definition and stark contrasts between light and shadow, lending psychological weight and drama to the figures despite the lack of a specific setting or context. The technique highlights the textural differences between the drapery of the older figure and the uniform of the younger.

This impression is held in the distinguished print collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, preserving a crucial record of Tiepolo’s graphic output. As a foundational work of the Italian tradition from this period, the study of Tiepolo’s Various Caprices remains essential for understanding the aesthetic transition in eighteenth-century art. The popularity of such prints during the period ensured their wide circulation, and today, examples of this powerful work are sometimes made available through public domain initiatives for continued study and appreciation.