The artwork “Pierrot and Harlequin (Mardi Gras)” is an oil on canvas painting by Paul Cézanne, dated to 1888. This piece is a notable example of the Post-Impressionist movement and falls under the genre painting category. The artwork’s dimensions are 102 by 81 centimeters. Currently, it is housed in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
In the artwork, two figures are depicted, each dressed in traditional commedia dell’arte costumes that correspond to their characters. On the left is Pierrot, clad in a loose-fitting white garment with ruffles at his neck and wrists, and donning a white conical hat. His face bears a gentle, contemplative expression. To the right stands Harlequin, characterized by his vibrant, diamond-patterned costume in red and black, complete with a bared neck and a brimmed hat. Harlequin holds a confidently poised stance, with one hand resting on his hip and the other holding a masquerade mask, suggesting a demeanor of assuredness and cunning. The two figures are set against a backdrop that is less defined, with abstracted forms and drapery, accentuating the theatrical and dynamic interaction between the characters. The use of color and brushwork exemplifies Cézanne’s distinct approach that bridges the gap between Impressionism and the subsequent artistic movements that sought to reinterpret reality through a more subjective lens.
