From Scherzi di
Fantasia, a set of 23 or 25 plates including title-plate (depending on the
authority)
References: Rizzi 17; Succi (Da Carlevaris ai Tiepolo) 481, first state of two
before number
A
fine, rich impression with excellent contrasts, small margins all round. A fold
in the upper left corner margin, a small faint numeral in red pencil in the top
margin, a soft central crease, generally in very good condition. 223 x 176mm.
Tiepolo's Scherzi di Fantasia (Jests of Fantasy) are masterpieces of obscure allusion, generally with magicians or philosophers engaged in occult practices, but in bright sunshine and with the participation of ordinary on-lookers. Here a shepherd ignores his flock to bring a heavy book to a magician, while another lounges against a spherical object to which the magician is pointing. A second magician looks on, holding a caduceus, a staff of ancient origin associated with the god Mercury and also the planet, hence astronomy and astrology. Bones allude to the staff's power over death, and the pyramid to the right evokes ancient associations.
