Who painted Scherzi di Fantasia: seated Magician, boy and four figures?

Scherzi di Fantasia: seated Magician, boy and four figures was painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in 1755.

Where can I see Scherzi di Fantasia: seated Magician, boy and four figures?

Scherzi di Fantasia: seated Magician, boy and four figures is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Scherzi di Fantasia: seated Magician, boy and four figures?

Scherzi di Fantasia: seated Magician, boy and four figures is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Scherzi di Fantasia: seated Magician, boy and four figures

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo , 1755

Scherzi di Fantasia: seated Magician, boy and four figures is a print by the Baroque artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It dates from 1755 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Scherzi di Fantasia: seated Magician, boy and four figures is an 18th-century print by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, dated to 1755, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a contemplative scene featuring a bearded magician seated on a rock with a staff, accompanied by a standing boy. The mystical atmosphere is heightened by four ethereal figures suspended behind them, entwined with foliage.

Technique & Style

Characterized by loose, rapid lines, the work exhibits the spontaneity of a preliminary sketch. The inclusion of handwritten notes (e.g., the artist's name and numbers) adds to its unfinished, exploratory feel.

History & Provenance

Created in 1755, the print's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here, highlighting the need for further provenance research.

Context

This piece reflects Tiepolo's broader exploration of fantastical themes, typical of his Scherzi di Fantasia series, which blends the mystical with the everyday in a dreamlike manner.

Legacy

While not individually renowned, the print contributes to the appreciation of Tiepolo's sketching process and his penchant for the fantastical, influencing the perception of his artistic range.

Artist & collection

Artist

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, also known as Giambattista Tiepolo, was an Italian painter and printmaker from the Republic of Venice who painted in the Rococo style, considered an important member of the 18th-century Venetian school.