Brigella 1694 - 1725

Editor: This print, "Brigella," dating back to sometime between 1694 and 1725, is unsigned, but can be found at the Rijksmuseum. The figure’s elaborate costume really catches my eye, but I'm also curious about the stone figure next to him. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, this is a Baroque engraving portraying Brigella, a stock character from the Commedia dell'Arte. He’s usually depicted as a witty, scheming servant. Editor: A servant, interesting. Curator: Think about the symbolism. Look at his pose: slightly theatrical, almost presenting himself. And that classical statue next to him… It’s draped in flowers. What associations do you think the artist is trying to create by putting the comedic figure next to that? Editor: Maybe he's connecting him to the world of theatre? Like the statue represents the history of dramatic arts, and Brigella is part of that tradition? Curator: Precisely! The artist is drawing a connection between the classical world, high art, and this popular, often low-brow character. It’s elevating Brigella. Do you think it works? Editor: It’s a clever move. The image gives a simple comedic character a sense of weight and history. I hadn't thought about that! Curator: It’s about how symbols speak across time. Even a seemingly simple image like this is packed with cultural memory. The statue embodies art history and tradition; placing Brigella nearby infuses him with that. It shows you that meaning is always constructed in relation to what we already know. Editor: That makes so much sense! It gives the image a whole new layer of meaning.