The Death of Maitre Andre 1685 - 1722

Claude Gillot created this etching, "The Death of Maitre Andre," sometime between 1673 and 1722. Observe how the stage-like composition, with its receding architecture and theatrical figures, invites us into a world of satire. The stark contrast of the etched lines sculpts the figures with precision, giving a tactile quality to their exaggerated gestures of grief. Gillot uses the visual language of theatre, specifically the commedia dell’arte, to explore themes of mourning and authenticity. The exaggerated expressions and poses, rendered with sharp, clear lines, suggest a critique of performative emotions. We can look at the semiotic system of signs in the characters' costumes. The symbolic meaning of Harlequin, known for wit and agility, juxtaposed with solemn mourners, disrupts traditional expectations. Gillot uses this interplay to challenge fixed meanings of grief. Consider, finally, how the formal structure—the composition, the lines—functions not merely as an aesthetic choice but as a commentary on the artificiality of social rituals. Each viewing offers an opportunity to reinterpret these satirical representations.