Actors at the Hotel de Bourgogne 1628 - 1639

Abraham Bosse's engraving captures a scene from the Hôtel de Bourgogne, a prominent Parisian theatre, immortalizing figures from the Commedia dell'Arte. Dominating the stage are stock characters whose exaggerated costumes and masks immediately signal their roles. Observe the recurring motif of the mask, a powerful symbol extending far beyond the stage. Across cultures, masks have served as transformative devices, blurring the line between the individual and the archetype. Consider, for example, the masks of ancient Greek theatre, or the ritual masks of indigenous cultures. Each conceals, yet simultaneously reveals deeper truths about human nature. Here, the actors don masks to embody universal characters, and tap into collective memories of human foibles and desires. This echoes how images themselves function - both concealing and revealing, constantly shifting in meaning across time. The performance becomes a mirror reflecting our own complex, often contradictory selves.