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The Clothes are Italian
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Actors dressed as stock characters from the Italian commedia dell’arte and the French popular theater take their final bow in this print. Known for their comic plots and improvisational satire, the Italian players were banned in France from 1697 until 1716 after one of their productions was thought to criticize King Louis XIV’s mistress. Still in demand with French audiences, some of the characters and stories were adapted into the less regulated popular performances. The sense of whimsy and play associated with this form of theater is mirrored by the spontaneity and freedom of the artist's etched lines.
| Artist / Maker | Jean-Antoine Watteau |
|---|---|
| Date | 1715–16 |
| Culture / Origin | France |
| Medium | etching |
| Dimensions | Image and Plate: 27.5 x 20 cm (10 13/16 x 7 7/8 in.); Sheet: 30 x 20.9 cm (11 13/16 x 8 1/4 in.) |
| Department | Prints |
| Type |
About the Artist
Jean-Antoine Watteau (French, 1684–1721) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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