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Pierrot

c. 1850–60
(French, 1804–1866)
France, 19th century
watercolor heightened with white gouache on off-white wove paper
Support: Off-white wove paper
Sheet: 31.8 x 21 cm (12 1/2 x 8 1/4 in.)
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1923.854
Location: not on view
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Did You Know?

Around the time that Paul Gavarni made this drawing, he also created a series of prints called School of the Pierrots (1851–53), which chronicled the character's misadventures.

Description

This drawing, by caricaturist Paul Gavarni, presents a character from pantomime and festival culture. Called Pierrot, he is recognizable by his comically ill-fitting clothes and was popular in performances during Gavarni's lifetime. The artist drew Pierrot several times late in his career, often adding humorous captions, which likely related to his work in printmaking and illustration.
Pierrot

Pierrot

c. 1850–60

Paul Gavarni

(French, 1804–1866)
France, 19th century

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