Myself as Mezzetin 1936

Prentiss Taylor made "Myself as Mezzetin" in 1956 using graphite, and it’s such a trip. There's a dreamy quality to the whole thing. Taylor's mark-making has a real tenderness to it. The graphite isn't overworked, and he's not trying to hide his process. The cross hatching on the curtain creates a dense darkness, yet other areas have a light, almost ethereal feel. Check out the figure of the artist as Mezzetin, that melancholic character from the Commedia dell'arte, and the details in his costume. There’s a whimsical element to how Taylor places himself within this dreamlike landscape. I love the contrast between the hard architectural forms and the soft textures of the costume, the plant, and the cat. These elements work together, inviting us to see the world through Taylor's eyes, a world full of beauty, mystery, and playful self-reflection. It reminds me of some of Florine Stettheimer's more theatrical portraits.