The artwork “Two Harlequins” was created by Edgar Degas in 1886, employing pastel as the medium. This piece exemplifies the Impressionism movement and is categorized as a genre painting. It measures 41 by 41 centimeters and is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Ireland, located in Dublin, Ireland.
This artwork features two figures dressed as harlequins, which are stock characters in the Italian commedia dell’arte. The figures are portrayed in mid-movement, with one harlequin appearing to lean or reach toward a chair or support, while the other is partially obscured behind. Degas’s use of vibrant colors and the soft texture typical of pastel work highlight the dynamic nature of the subjects and give the scene a sense of immediacy. The composition suggests an intimate interaction between the characters, pulling the viewer into the narrative of the artwork. Degas’s skill in rendering form and his deft use of color create a vivid and engaging depiction of these theatrical performers.
