Paul Wilks is exhibiting his latest collection of colourful Harlequin pastels at Grays Court, Chapter House Street, York.
The York-born artist captures the playful movement of dance and drama students who were recruited into a life class, recording their poses in paintings that offer a modern take on the mischievous Harlequin.
“The Harlequin pastels represent visual encounters with the strange costume of the commedia dell’arte, originally an Italian movement that is akin to the clownish persona of modern circus,” says Paul.
“However, it has more sinister social origins and the name ‘commedia’ suggests something to beware of: it’s a corruption of a derogatory phrase for an underclass.”
Early masks were deformed and grotesque and pre-Renaissance artists sometimes depicted Christ’s tormentors in such costumes. Throughout history, the Harlequin, the cunning and foolish trickster with many faces, is the most enduring figure of the commedia dell’arte that spread across Europe.
The figure was notably painted by artists such as Cézanne, Degas, Manet and Picasso in the 19th and early 20th centuries and now Paul is interpreting the Harlequin anew. His exhibition runs until July 28; admission is free.
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