Harlequin Unmasked

"The commedia dell'arte began in Italy as irreverent, improvised street theatre and is best known for its exuberant characters - Harlequin, Pantalone, Pulcinella, Scaramouche, and Columbine, among others. Since the sixteenth century, these personalities have inspired paintings, engravings, and porcelain sculptures. This book features works from important collections - in particular, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, which houses one of the finest collections of commedia dell'arte porcelain sculpture in the world. Encompassing theatre, court culture, masquerades, and the decorative arts, the book offers original perspectives on porcelain commedia figures while also making an important contribution to the study of the commedia dell'arte.". "The volume focuses on nearly 150 porcelain sculptures, representing more than twenty European ceramic manufacturers. The authors investigate the history of the commedia dell'arte's transformation into sculpture: Why were the figures made? Why do they appear as they do? What inspired their gestures and costumes? How did street theatre themes become integrated into court life and entertainment? Examining these porcelain figures in greater breadth and detail than any publication ever has done before, this book is essential for those interested in theatre, painting, costume, and the decorative arts."--BOOK JACKET.

Beyond its central premise, the book can be read through the connected lenses of Nonfiction. Those themes offer useful points of attention as the characters, ideas, or world develop, especially where the book complicates the expectations of its primary category.