Figures in Theatrical Costumes 1685 - 1722

Claude Gillot rendered these figures in theatrical costumes with pen and sanguine wash. Notice the varied headwear: from wide-brimmed hats to exotic turbans, each headdress denotes a character type lifted straight from the theater of his era. The turban, in particular, evokes a rich, if often stereotyped, history. Originating in the East, this headdress made its way into Western art and theater as a symbol of the exotic 'other'. Yet, observe how Gillot presents it not as a sign of foreign menace, but rather as a playful, almost comical accessory. In antiquity, the raised hand holding a staff symbolized power and authority, a motif that surfaces throughout centuries of art, from Roman emperors to medieval kings. Here, in Gillot's sketch, the figure with the staff playfully subverts this symbolism. Such symbols, passed down through history, undergo a metamorphosis, adapting to the times and leaving their psychological imprint on both artist and audience.