Pierrot with Guitar 1869

This is Honoré Daumier’s painting *Pierrot with Guitar*. Daumier, who lived from 1808 to 1879, made this 34 x 26 cm artwork. In 19th-century France, the figure of Pierrot, derived from Italian Commedia dell'arte, was often used to explore themes of melancholy, alienation, and the artist's own position in society. Daumier, known for his social realism, uses Pierrot, with his stark white costume and expressive face, to reflect the artist's inner world. Pierrot, the eternal clown, becomes a mirror for Daumier himself. Consider how Daumier, often an outsider critiquing societal norms through his art, infuses his emotional experience into the character of Pierrot. This connection between the artist and subject blurs the lines between performer and person, hinting at the complex interplay of identity, performance, and emotion. Pierrot's song becomes Daumier's song.