Baptiste
Embroidered Panel
1977 (made)
1977 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Collage panel of bright pink wool felt with an appliqué of Pierrot's head and upper body, and he holds aloft an outsize appliqué rose in shades of medium and dark red felt. Green felt leaves. Hands, face and black hat are also in felt. Layer of white net over his face, embroidered eyes, and appliqué mouth. Tunic in appliquéd cream satin with lace and net trimmings, and with yellow butterflies in embroidered fabric and net appliqué.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Baptiste (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Wool felt, satin with lace, and net embroidered appliqué |
| Brief description | Embroidered collage panel of wool felt with an appliqué of Pierrot's head, designed and made by Eugenie Alexander, London, 1977 |
| Physical description | Collage panel of bright pink wool felt with an appliqué of Pierrot's head and upper body, and he holds aloft an outsize appliqué rose in shades of medium and dark red felt. Green felt leaves. Hands, face and black hat are also in felt. Layer of white net over his face, embroidered eyes, and appliqué mouth. Tunic in appliquéd cream satin with lace and net trimmings, and with yellow butterflies in embroidered fabric and net appliqué. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Unique |
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Miss Eugenie Alexander |
| Object history | Registered File number 1986/2121. This embroidery portrays the actor Jean-Louis Barrault in his best-known role, that of Jean-Gaspard 'Baptiste' Deburau, the early 19th century actor-mime in Les Enfants Au Paradis who developed and created the Commedia dell'Arte character of Pierrot into his current guise. The Deburau interpretation of Pierrot as a sad, pale-faced, lovelorn character in an outsize trailing smock and pantaloons and a black cap, would prove an extremely popular motif in the 1970s and early 1980s. A wide assortment of Pierrot themed memorablia - ornaments, decorative dolls, posters, clothes, etc. - was created. This embroidered applique portrait taps into that trend. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary reference | Commedia dell'Arte |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.221-1986 |
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| Record created | November 21, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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