Three Men standing beside a Horse, from the Scherzi 1725 - 1780

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo made this etching called 'Three Men standing beside a Horse' in Venice in the mid-18th century. These Scherzi, or "jokes," as they were called, allowed Tiepolo to explore his imagination free from the constraints of wealthy patrons. Note the figures. They are exoticized stereotypes of oriental people, a fascination that began to sweep Venice during this time. The Venetian economy was in decline, and there was much debate about its relationship to the rest of Europe. Tiepolo's image plays into this anxiety, and he peoples it with magicians, philosophers, and soldiers. What did Tiepolo really think of Venice, its institutions and its relationship to outsiders? To get a better understanding, one might look at period accounts, fashion trends, other etchings and paintings made in Venice at the time, and, of course, the history of Venice itself. The meaning of an artwork such as this one can only be understood in its full social and institutional context.