CLAUDE GILLOT
jo Scene from the Italian Comedy
r
Figure Study
v
Pen and black ink and reddish wash (recto); pen and black
ink (verso); H: 16 cm (6^5 /i6 in.); W: 21.6 cm (SV 2 in.)
84.GA.6 6
MARKS AND INSCRIPTIONS: (Recto) at bottom right
corner, inscribed 24 in faint brown ink.
PROVENANCE: Private collection, France (sale, Hotel
Drouot, Paris, March 9, 1984, lot 14); art market,
London.EXHIBITIONS: None.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: None.THIS is ONE OF GILLOT'S MANY REPRESENTATIONS OF
theatrical subjects, the facet of his work for which he is
best known. The drawing was engraved by Gabriel
Huquier^1 for his Theatre italien, in which the scene is iden-
tified as " Arlequin grapignant" that is, Harlequin as Pro-
curer. It may reflect the comedy by Fatouville of the same
name, which was first performed on May 12, 1682, and
was published two years later, even though the precise
actions taking place in the drawing do not occur in the
1684 publication, which omits the impromptu parts of
the presentation.^2 The drawing shows Harlequin seated
at a table acting as a notary or arbiter of some sort. At the
left a young woman stands holding the doctor's hand
while she looks across at a young man with a rather dis-
pleased expression. Pantaloon and Mezzetin look on
with Harlequin. Whatever the precise moment depicted,
the drawing is characteristic of commedia dell'arte rep-
resentations in its lively wit and hidden meanings.
Stylistically, the animated pen strokes and liberal ap-
plication of reddish wash are effective vehicles for con-
veying the gestures and mood of the scene. A compa-
rable sheet by Gillot is in the Louvre, Paris (inv. 4195).^3
i. E. Dacier, "Scenes et figures theatrales de Claude Gillot,"
Revue de Vart ancien et moderne 49, no. 276 (May 1926), ill.
p. 291.
verso- Ibid., pp. 292-293.
3. J. Guiffrey and P. Marcel, Inventairegeneral des dessins du Mu-
see du Louvre et du Musee de Versailles: Ecolefran^aise (Paris, 1911),
vol. 6 , no. 4195.
160 FRENCH SCHOOL • GILLOT