Young Shepherdess and old man with a Monkey, from the Scherzi

Young Shepherdess and old man with a Monkey, from the Scherzi by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo is a pivotal example of 18th-century Italian printmaking. Created during the peak of the artist’s career, likely between 1725 and 1780, this work belongs to the celebrated series known as the Scherzi di Fantasia (Whimsical Caprices). This collection of etchings features cryptic, often mysterious groupings of figures, classical fragments, and esoteric symbols, distinguishing them from Tiepolo's grand fresco commissions and highlighting his deep engagement with the graphic arts medium.

The composition centers on an ambiguous encounter between disparate characters. A young woman, identified as a shepherdess, stands alongside an elderly man whose posture and expression suggest deep contemplation or weariness. The central inclusion of a monkey, a creature frequently associated with folly or mimicry in Baroque iconography, adds a layer of cryptic meaning to the interaction. The scene is further populated by subtle background elements, including suggested ruins and the form of a bull, reinforcing the dreamlike quality common to Tiepolo’s graphic prints.

Tiepolo utilized etching to achieve a dramatic, spontaneous quality, employing swift, energetic lines that contrast sharply with the untouched white of the paper. This mastery of the etching technique allowed the artist to convey emotion and atmosphere with an economy of means. This significant piece, one of the original plates in the Scherzi series, is classified as a print within the comprehensive holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a major work from the mid-18th century, high-resolution prints of this Venetian masterwork are frequently available through public domain collections, ensuring the continued study and appreciation of Tiepolo’s innovative graphic style.