Trial of Pierrot 

"Trial of Pierrot" by Jehan Georges Vibert, is a painting executed with watercolor on paper. Look closely to appreciate the qualities of the medium: the translucent washes of color, the delicate lines that define the figures, and the subtle gradations of tone that create depth and form. The choice of watercolor lends itself to the theatrical subject matter. Vibert has captured a moment of high drama in a courtroom scene, where Pierrot, the famous commedia dell’arte character, is on trial. The artist's mastery of the medium lies in his ability to convey texture and detail, from the elaborate costumes of the judges to the feathered plumage of the ducks in the basket. However, it's not just the technical skill that makes this painting noteworthy, it’s the context. Vibert was known for his satirical depictions of clergy and other authority figures, and his choice of a popular form of entertainment, commedia dell’arte, as the subject matter, reflects a desire to challenge the traditional hierarchies of fine art and popular culture. By elevating the mundane to the level of art, Vibert questions the established norms of his time.