De gedaanteverwisseling van Polichinel c. 1902

This comic strip, by Pellerin & Cie., captures a moment of playful transformation in the tale of Polichinel. I can imagine the artist hunched over their drawing board, carefully etching each scene with a blend of precision and whimsy. The pastel palette feels like a stage set. Each panel unfolds like a little play, full of changing roles and mistaken identities. Polichinel's world is one of constant flux where identities are fluid and appearances can be deceiving. Take the scene where Polichinel stands before the mirror, his reflection gazing back with a knowing smile. I wonder, what is he thinking in this moment of self-discovery? Is he embracing his true self, or merely putting on another mask for the world to see? These comic strips remind me that artists are always in conversation with each other across time, influencing each other's creativity. I’m interested in the way the artist embraces ambiguity, allowing multiple interpretations to emerge. I think this piece captures the messy, beautiful, and often contradictory nature of human experience.