Various Caprices: The Woman Standing with Hands on a Vase

Various Caprices: The Woman Standing with Hands on a Vase by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo is a superb example of 18th-century Italian printmaking, executed between 1730 and 1755. Classified as an etching, this work demonstrates the artist's masterful command of the medium, characterized by delicate yet precise lines and subtle tonal variations.

This piece belongs to Tiepolo's acclaimed series of Vari Capricci (Various Caprices) or Scherzi di Fantasia (Fantasies), which diverge from the grand historical and religious narratives for which he was primarily known. Instead, these graphic works showcase the artist’s fertile imagination, featuring figures in non-specific settings, often juxtaposed with classical fragments, vases, or enigmatic symbols. The central figure here, the woman standing with her hands resting on a large vase, epitomizes the dramatic, evocative compositions found throughout the series.

Tiepolo, a leading figure of the Italian Rococo, utilized the medium of prints to explore themes of light, shadow, and theatrical gesture. Although the figures often defy specific narrative identification, they reflect the dynamic aesthetic and technical virtuosity central to 18th-century art in Italy. The influence of Tiepolo’s innovative graphic style extended far beyond his lifetime, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in etching.

This fine impression is preserved in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because many of the works from this period are now in the public domain, they continue to provide essential resources for scholars studying the artist’s highly influential approach to composition and draftsmanship.