Polichinelle 1860

Ernest Meissonier created this work, entitled ‘Polichinelle’ using oil paints. The piece is dominated by the figure of Polichinelle, his posture and costume drawing us into the textures and the artist’s subtle handling of light and shadow. The composition invites us to delve deeper into the nuances of the artwork, and the artist has skillfully used light and shadow to give the character weight. The subject of the artwork, particularly his costume, uses color and form to disrupt conventional expectations of the period. The artist's choice to depict this character in a moment of quiet contemplation, rather than theatrical performance, subtly challenges the traditional meaning of the character, suggesting a deeper exploration of human emotion. This invites contemplation of the interplay between appearance and reality, where the formal elements work together to destabilize established meanings.