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Study for “The Romancer” (Le Conteur)
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This sheet was a preparatory study for the painting <em>The Romancer</em>. An actor in the costume of Mezzetin, a stock character of the commedia dell’arte (a type of satirical theatrical entertainment of Italian origin popular in aristocratic circles in 18th-century France), interrupts a guitarist with a bold sexual advance. Another actor dressed as the French pantomime stock character Pierrot peers lasciviously over the young musician’s shoulder. A more detailed study of Pierrot’s head occupies the upper left corner of the sheet, demonstrating Jean Antoine Watteau’s experimentation with how to most effectively depict a lecherous gaze.
| Artist / Maker | Jean-Antoine Watteau |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1716 |
| Culture / Origin | France |
| Medium | red chalk; red and black chalk (upper left figure) |
| Dimensions | Sheet: 35 x 27.5 cm (13 3/4 x 10 13/16 in.); Secondary Support: 35.1 x 27.8 cm (13 13/16 x 10 15/16 in.) |
| Department | Drawings |
| Type | Drawing |
About the Artist
BiographyJean-Antoine Watteau (1684–1721) — French painter (1684-1721).Jean-Antoine Watteau worked as painter, graphic artist, draftsperson, artist and printmaker and is associated with Kingdom of France. Their documented life spans the years 1684 to 1721, born in Valenciennes, died in Nogent-sur-Marne. Their work is linked to Rococo.Disciplinespainter, graphic artist, draftsperson, artist, printmakerBorn1684, ValenciennesDied1721, Nogent-sur-MarneNationalityKingdom of FranceMovementRococoSources: Wikidata · Wikipedia Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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