Kleine Arlequin wordt van luizen ontdaan 1720 - 1728

This anonymous print depicts a scene of grooming, showing an adult Harlequin meticulously removing lice from a child. Created in the Netherlands, likely during the 18th century, the image presents us with a fascinating commentary on social status and hygiene through the lens of popular theatre. Harlequin, a character known for his checkered costume and mischievous antics, is here engaged in a rather unglamorous task. The act of delousing, a necessity for many at the time, highlights a vulnerability often hidden behind the comedic mask of this stock character. The setting, a seemingly natural landscape, contrasts with the artificiality of the stage, blurring the lines between performance and reality. To fully understand this image, one might delve into the history of Dutch theatre and social customs of the period. Prints such as this served as both entertainment and social commentary. The cultural associations we now have of the Harlequin must be kept in mind when looking into the social and institutional context, considering the meaning of art to be dependent on these features.