43/?

About this artwork

Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo's etching *43/?*, created between 1757 and1761, exemplifies the vibrant printmaking tradition of 18th-century Venice. the son of the renowned Rococo master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Lorenzo (1736–1776) honed his skills in the family workshop, blending dramatic lighting and fluid forms characteristic of the Venetian school. This large-scale work, measuring 662 × 497 mm, belongs to a numbered series—its enigmatic title hinting at a broader suite of prints that likely explored theatrical or mythological themes popular in the era. Etching, Tiepolo's favored medium here, allowed for intricate, spontaneous lines etched into a metal plate with acid, producing rich tonal variations ideal for reproducing the luminosity of Venetian frescoes. During this period, prints like this democratized access to elite art, circulating Tiepolo's imaginative style across Europe amid the Enlightenment's taste for ornament and narrative. A intriguing detail graces the verso: a collector's mark (Lugt 2228), stamped at the center bottom, traces its provenance to a distinguished 19th- or early 20th-century collector. Such stamps underscore the etching's enduring value, bridging Rococo exuberance with the scholarly passion of connoisseurs today.