Giandomenico Tiepolo collaborated with his father and artistic tutor, Giambattista, on his greatest projects, including the decoration of the Royal Palace in Madrid (1762–64). After his father’s death in 1770, Giandomenico emerged as a highly original artist who was particularly adept at depicting popular activities and amusements in a humorous manner. This is one of a group of fanciful heads of philosophers that the artist executed in response to a similar painted series by Giambattista from 1757–58. Despite its source, Giandomenico’s lighter, more dashing work represents a distinct departure from his father’s style.