Artwork
Columbine and Harlequin
Columbine and Harlequin is a print by the Baroque artist Jean Moyreau. It dates from 1729 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The same kind of playful design appears in works by the artist Jean Moyreau (French, 1690–1762).
A woman in a feathered hat leans on a stone wall. She wears a blue dress and looks out with calm eyes. Next to her, a man in a patchy costume holds a guitar.
They are characters from old comic plays called Commedia dell'arte. The swirls and leaf-like curls in the background were popular in 1700s France. This style is called arabesque.
The same kind of playful design appears in works by the artist Jean Moyreau (French, 1690–1762).
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Overview
Columbine and Harlequin is a print by Jean-Antoine Watteau, featuring two figures from the Commedia dell'arte, a form of Italian comic theater.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Columbine, dressed in blue, and Harlequin, wearing a patchwork costume and holding a guitar, set against an ornate arabesque background. The characters are drawn from the Commedia dell'arte tradition.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Watteau's use of arabesque, a decorative style characterized by sinuous curves and tendrils, popular in 18th-century France. Chinoiserie elements, such as the Asian face, are also incorporated, reflecting Watteau's interest in exotic motifs.
Artist & collection
