Galante scène met Poirrot en gitaarspelende vrouw 1694 - 1727

Claude Duflos created this print, *Galante scène met Poirrot en gitaarspelende vrouw*, sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The print, evoking the world of Italian theater, reflects the cultural and social dynamics of its time. Theater was a place where social norms were both reinforced and challenged, especially through the characters of the *commedia dell'arte*. Here, we see the figure of Pierrot, often portrayed as a sad clown, juxtaposed with a woman playing the guitar, embodying a scene of leisure. The presence of stock characters invites us to consider questions of identity and performance. How do these characters, with their fixed traits, reflect or comment on societal expectations and individual expression? The galante scene suggests a world of courtship and entertainment, yet, there is a sense of detachment, as if the figures are acting out prescribed roles. The print captures a moment in time, inviting us to reflect on the complex interplay between identity, performance, and societal expectations.