Het liedje van Arlekyn 1848 - 1881

Lutkie & Cranenburg made this image, 'The Song of Harlequin,' using an etching technique. Printed in the Netherlands, this artwork connects us to the rich tradition of the commedia dell'arte, a popular form of improvisational theatre that originated in Italy and spread throughout Europe. Harlequin, or Arlekyn in Dutch, is one of its most recognizable characters, known for his colorful costume and mischievous nature. Here, the image presents a stylized portrayal of Harlequin mid-dance, his costume a patchwork of diamond shapes that create a sense of dynamism. The choice of subject matter would probably reflect the tastes of a merchantile society with strong trading links to the rest of Europe. To fully understand this etching, we can research the history of commedia dell'arte in the Netherlands, and sources from the period, such as playbills, and theatrical reviews. This allows us to situate the work within its original social and institutional context.