Three figures and a snake coiled around a staff, surrounded by a landscape, the central figure rests his left hand on a shield and leans toward a bearded figure holding a book, from the series 'The Capricci' 1705 - 1770

This etching by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo is part of a series called "The Capricci," which are known for their fantastical and imaginative scenes. In this particular work, three figures are depicted in a dramatic landscape. The central figure leans towards a bearded man holding a book while resting his hand on a shield with a female head. A snake coils around a staff in the foreground, adding a touch of the fantastical to the scene. This artwork showcases Tiepolo's mastery of line and composition, which creates a sense of movement and drama. The etching exemplifies the Rococo period's interest in the fantastical and the interplay of light and shadow.