Het nieuw Arlequin spel / Le nouveau jeu d'Arlequin 1856 - 1900

This is "Het nieuw Arlequin spel / Le nouveau jeu d'Arlequin," a print of unknown date by Glenisson & Zonen. Note how the numbers are laid out symmetrically, with the playful Harlequin character positioned at the center. The Harlequin figure is a study in contrasts. The flat, graphic nature of the print contrasts with the attempt to render depth through shading on the figure's hat and clothing. The diamond pattern on the Harlequin's costume is striking; alternating green and purple, this pattern is outlined to emphasize the geometric facets. The use of a limited palette--primarily yellows, greens, and purples--creates a sense of visual harmony, even while the design is whimsical. Structurally, the work is divided into clear, almost diagrammatic sections. This print invites us to consider how simple forms can create complex relationships, where the eye moves from one shape to another, constructing meaning through spatial and chromatic dynamics.