Figures from the commedia dell' arte - the Italian theatrical tradition featuring masked characters in farcical or satirical situations - appear again and again in the history of art. Artists from the 18th century to the present day have appropriated images from the commedia, often in the form of harlequins, punchinellas and pierrots. Like artists themselves, commedia figures often act as commentators on the world: characters that observe human behaviour from a detached, sometimes ironical perspective. And because of this they often emerge at crisis moments in culture, whether that's the decline of the Venetian Republic in the work of Giandomenico Tiepolo, the turbulence of interwar Europe in Max Beckmann's paintings, or the anxieties of the current day in the work of artists using masks, stock characters and social satire.
Artwork explored
- Francisco Goya, The Strolling Players, 1793
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Jean-Antoine Watteau, Pierrot (formerly known as Gilles), c. 1718-19
- Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Villa Zianigo Frescoes, c. 1759-1797
- Paul Cézanne, Harlequin, 1888-90
- Pablo Picasso, Family of Saltimbanques, 1905
- James Ensor, The Intrigue, 1890
- André Derain, Harlequin and Pierrot, 1924
- Max Beckmann, Carnival, 1920
- Otto Dix, Masks as Ruins, 1946
- As well as works by Philip Guston, Glenn Brown, Nancy Spero, Nicole Eisenman, Wael Shawky and Paul McCarthy.
Biography
Dr Ben Street is the author of numerous books about art, including How to Enjoy Art (Yale, 2021) and the award-winning children's book How to Be an Art Rebel (Thames & Hudson). He lectures for many universities and museums and is a contributing writer to Art Review, Apollo, Gagosian magazine and the Times Literary Supplement.
Further Information
Booking is required due to limited capacity.
This event is fully accessible, with lift access to Gallery 3, where it will take place. Please note that Gallery 2, located in the basement, is not wheelchair accessible due to the building's historic nature. Kindly inform us of any specific requirements when making your booking so that we may assist you.
Light refreshments will be served.
Any queries, please email: laurie@glenn-brown.co.uk