Pierrot 1884

Léon François Comerre painted this character from the Italian Commedia dell'Arte in oils on canvas at some point during his career in France. Pierrot, with his sad, white face, loose-fitting costume and musical instrument, was a popular subject in late 19th-century art and literature. But why? He seems to capture a sense of alienation, an outsider who is never truly part of society, who never gets the girl. This resonated with artists and writers at a time of rapid social change, when traditional values were being questioned and people felt increasingly disconnected from one another. Comerre was part of a generation of artists who exhibited at the Paris Salon. We can think of the Salon as an institution which both promoted and constrained artistic innovation. To learn more, look at the artist's other works. Consider the work of his contemporaries. Think about the kinds of social and institutional forces at play in the art world of his time.