Harlequin 1917

This painted plaster sculpture of a Harlequin by Juan Gris sits in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, inviting us into a world of shapes and shadows. Look at how Gris has built up this figure, piece by piece, almost like a puzzle coming together. I wonder what Gris was thinking when he decided to use these angular forms? It's like he's deconstructing the idea of a harlequin, breaking it down into its most basic elements and then reassembling it in his own way. You can see the influence of his Cubist paintings here, that desire to see all sides of something at once. The tan, green, and blue-grey palette gives it a somber yet playful feel, don’t you think? There’s a real conversation happening between Gris and other artists like Picasso and Braque, a constant back-and-forth of ideas and experimentation. It reminds me that making art is all about taking risks, embracing ambiguity, and allowing yourself to see the world in new and unexpected ways.