Six people watching a snake, from the Scherzi 1738 - 1755

Editor: This etching, "Six people watching a snake, from the Scherzi", by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, made sometime between 1738 and 1755, has a rather ominous feel. What do you see in this piece beyond the initial presentation? Curator: It's compelling, isn’t it? Beyond the surface narrative, consider the dynamics of power at play. The snake, a symbol often laden with complex meanings ranging from temptation to healing, is here being observed, arguably policed, by a group of figures. Think about who gets to define what is dangerous, what is acceptable. Editor: That’s interesting. It makes me consider who these figures represent. Curator: Precisely! Are they arbiters of morality, colonial observers documenting and judging the “other,” or something else entirely? Notice their diverse expressions, their attire, their positioning. How might contemporary postcolonial theory shed light on this scene? Do we see a parallel between the snake's potential threat and the historically marginalized being surveilled and controlled? Editor: It really pushes you to think beyond the immediate imagery and towards broader social implications. It feels more relevant now, considering contemporary concerns. Curator: Yes, because it compels us to question the power structures, even in seemingly innocuous scenes. And consider the “Scherzi” series itself – Tiepolo creating 'jokes'. What commentary is he offering on the society of his time, the "jokes" we play on each other? Art, at its most potent, holds a mirror to society, then and now. What did you take away from that analysis? Editor: How important it is to view even historical works through a lens that recognizes the continuing impact of power dynamics on our understanding and appreciation of art. Thanks!