Man verkleed als harlekijn, zittend in een park 1884

Edmund Herger created this etching of a man dressed as harlequin in a park. Harlequin, known from the Commedia dell’arte, was a popular character in nineteenth century visual culture, a figure of fun, albeit tinged with melancholy. Made at a time when the institutions of art were expanding, this image speaks to an emerging visual culture that drew inspiration from the theatre. The park setting, with its manicured trees and glimpse of a distant dome, suggests a self-consciously modern and cultivated space. The etching technique itself, with its intricate lines and tonal contrasts, reflects the wider availability of graphic art. To understand this image better, research into the popular theatrical and artistic trends of the late 19th century would be invaluable. We might look at how artists drew inspiration from popular culture, and how art institutions mediated this relationship. After all, an artwork’s meaning hinges on its social and institutional context.