The image shows an individual posing as a harlequin character. The person is standing with one leg slightly forward, the right arm bent upwards and hand touching the nose. They wear a mask with exaggerated eyebrows and a large mustache, a soft hat, a fitted jacket, baggy pants with a sash at the waist, and slipper-like shoes. A bat or wooden paddle is tucked into the sash. In the background, sketched foliage and a lightly clouded sky are visible.
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The image shows an individual posing as a harlequin character. The person is standing with one leg slightly forward, the right arm bent upwards and hand touching the nose. They wear a mask with exaggerated eyebrows and a large mustache, a soft hat, a fitted jacket, baggy pants with a sash at the waist, and slipper-like shoes. A bat or wooden paddle is tucked into the sash. In the background, sketched foliage and a lightly clouded sky are visible.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Arlequin pleurant

François Joullain after Claude Gillot

Date
c. 1730
Medium
etching on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 29.4 x 18.4 cm (11 9/16 x 7 1/4 in.) sheet: 34.3 x 24.5 cm (13 1/2 x 9 5/8 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1985.61.589
Credit line
Mark J. Millard Architectural Collection
Time span
1726 to 1750
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • etching
  • Male figure
  • Costume
  • Hat
  • Mask
Inscription

lower left in plate: Gillot inv.; lower right in plate: Joullain Sculp.; lower center in plate: Arlequin pleurant.; lower right in plate: 5.e

NGA object ID 81366. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.