“Mezzetin” is an exquisite oil painting on canvas created by the renowned artist Antoine Watteau between 1717 and 1719. This work, representing the Rococo art movement, embodies the genre painting style and measures 55.2 by 43.2 centimeters. Presently, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) located in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork portrays a character, likely a figure from the commedia dell’arte, named Mezzetin. Bathed in soft, diffused light, he is depicted in a graceful pose while playing a guitar. Mezzetin, dressed in an elaborate costume characterized by striped fabric and adorned with bright ribbons and ruffles, exudes a melancholic demeanor as he gazes upward. The background, lush with verdant foliage and a distant statue blending seamlessly into the scene, creates a serene, almost dreamlike atmosphere that is quintessentially reflective of Watteau’s skilled use of light and color to evoke emotion.
