Mezzetin and Harlequin Use the Picture Frame to Catch Pantaloon and Pierrot
1729
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1729
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a chaotic scene of five characters in a room. One man in a hat is carrying another upside-down on a stretcher, while others laugh or play instruments. A large curtain hangs in the background, and a window reveals a person waving from outside. On the floor, a palette and brushes lie scattered near a fallen stool. The title hints this is a joke about artists and their work—like a prank on a rival. The messy clothes and wild poses make it feel like a slapstick comedy. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists like Schübler built up shading with lines.
