Woman kneeling in front of Magicians and other Figures, from the Scherzi

Woman kneeling in front of Magicians and other Figures, from the Scherzi by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo is a defining etching created during the height of the artist’s graphic career, broadly dated between 1725 and 1780. Classified as a print, this piece belongs to the influential Scherzi di Fantasia (Caprices) series, which saw Tiepolo explore themes of magic, ritual, and the arcane, distinguishing these intimate works from his large-scale decorative frescoes.

The composition is centered around a kneeling woman, shown in profile, positioned before a dense crowd of figures. These individuals, identified as Magicians and sorcerers, dominate the right foreground, their faces often obscured by shadow or exaggerated expressions, adding to the enigmatic atmosphere. The work is defined by Tiepolo’s masterful use of the etching technique, employing sharp, energetic lines and high contrasts to dramatically sculpt the forms and capture the dramatic interplay of light and shadow.

Tiepolo utilized the Scherzi to experiment with fantastical vignettes that often resist clear narrative interpretation. The presence of ceremonial objects, including prominent axes held by some members of the crowd, suggests a ritualistic or perhaps menacing event taking place. This piece exemplifies the Venetian master’s transition toward more experimental and expressionistic subject matter in his later career. This significant historical print is preserved within the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As high-quality reproductions of Tiepolo's celebrated prints from this period are frequently made available through various open-access initiatives, they often enter the public domain, providing valuable resources for studying the Baroque and Rococo traditions.