Neapolitan, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This color lithograph, published by Kinney Bros., offers a glimpse into the symbolic world of 19th-century cultural representation. The figure, identified as "Neapolitan," presents a rich array of symbols rooted in cultural identity and performance. Note the striped shirt, which echoes the garb of the ‘arlecchino’ or harlequin. The harlequin is a figure from the Commedia dell’arte, a theatrical tradition that originated in Italy and rose to popularity in Europe in the 16th century. His costume is composed of diamond-shaped patches of different colors, and it is thought that the patches were intended to represent poverty and were made from scraps of fabric. Here, the Neapolitan figure carries a net, evoking images of labor and livelihood tied to the sea. The sash around the waist bears the colors of the Italian flag, red, white, and green. This flag emerges as a potent emblem of national identity and pride. Yet, we also see the echoes of something primal, a cultural memory of performance and identity that continues to evolve, intertwining theater and identity. It is an image that reminds us that symbols are never static.