Pierrots Pair 

Mariano Fortuny Marsal created this drawing of a Pierrot couple with graphite on paper. Here we have a glimpse into the world of the Commedia dell'Arte, with Pierrot, a character defined by his white costume and melancholic disposition. This figure, often portrayed as a sad clown longing for love, has roots stretching back to ancient comedic traditions. Note the female figure, evoking Columbine, leaning intimately on Pierrot. The duo are locked in an embrace, yet there's a sense of unease. Consider how the Pierrot figure resurfaces through the centuries. We see him again in Watteau's paintings, a symbol of unrequited love, and later in Picasso's Blue Period, embodying alienation. In each iteration, the essence of Pierrot—his sadness, his longing—persists, shaped by the anxieties of the age. Perhaps this is because Pierrot reflects our own subconscious desires and discontents, a mirror to the human psyche.