Four Commedia dell'Arte Figures: Harlequin "en femme," Mezzetin(?), Scaramouche, and Harlequin c. early 18th century

This drawing by Claude Gillot, a prominent French Rococo artist, depicts four figures from the Commedia dell’Arte, a form of Italian street theatre popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. The figures are identified as Harlequin "en femme," Mezzetin, Scaramouche, and Harlequin. Gillot was known for his dynamic figures, as seen in the depiction of these characters. His detailed drawings of these archetypal characters show Gillot's mastery of expressive movement and characterization. The drawings are part of a larger series of sketches that were created by Gillot to document the Commedia dell’Arte.