Portret van Claire-Josèphe Léris, of Mademoiselle Clairon 1767

This print of Mademoiselle Clairon was made by Jean-Baptiste Michel, who was born in Paris in 1748. Here, the actress is immortalized within an ornate frame, yet it’s the theatrical symbols below that truly capture our attention. Look closely, and you’ll see dramatic masks of comedy and tragedy flanked by grotesque monsters emerging from clouds of smoke, alluding to the emotional turmoil and chaos inherent in the dramatic arts. These masks have ancient roots, tracing back to Greek theatre, where they represented the exaggerated expressions of characters on stage. Consider their recurrence throughout art history, from Roman mosaics to Renaissance frescoes. The masks persist as potent symbols of human emotion. Notice how the artist has staged these symbols here with a particular emotional intensity, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. These images tap into our collective memory, reminding us of the power of theatre to evoke catharsis and confront our deepest fears and desires. As we observe their resurfacing, we are reminded of the cyclical nature of symbols, constantly evolving and adapting to new contexts.