harlequin

In old French, Hellequin was the name given to a Devil. This term passed into Italian as arlecchino, and then to our language What harlequin.

To understand what a harlequin is, one must first refer to the art comedy, a theatrical modality that emerged in Italy in the middle of century XVI. In this gender, Harlequin is a character that wears a mask and wears a colorful costume with diamonds. Next to Colombina already Brighella, makes up the set of servants.

By extension to the personality of this character, the grotesque subject is known as harlequin, with airs of jester. That person who tends to be ridiculous and who avoids formalities can be considered a harlequin.

The typical costume harlequin derived from the rags of a beggar. From pieces of different garments, the original colorful costume of a harlequin was developed. Over the years, the harlequin costume began to be made up of brightly colored rhombuses, with a preponderance of green and red.

Refering to mask of the harlequin, it is a combination of the facial features of a monkey and a cat. That is why the nose of the traditional harlequin is flattened and the eyes are rounded.

In the world of art we find different representations of this figure that concerns us. However, among the best known worldwide is the painting entitled "Harlequin" that the brilliant painter from Malaga, Pablo Picasso, created and presented in 1917.

It is an oil painting that he gave to the city of Barcelona in 1919 and that, today, can be admired in the Picasso Museum of the aforementioned Catalan city.

No less important is that the harlequin is a figure that becomes a key part of a part of that artist's professional career. Specifically, it is established that he is the protagonist of his so-called pink stage, since he uses it not only to represent himself but also to come to make clear the criticism he makes of the society of the moment.

In the same way, we cannot ignore that another of the most brilliant Spanish artists also painted this character in question. Specifically, it was Salvador Dalí who in 1926 presented a four entitled “Arlequí” (Harlequin).

It is an oil on canvas in which the aforementioned genius shows his interest and passion for cubism. It is perhaps not one of his best known works, but it has an undeniable value since it shows his quality and his know-how. At the moment, this painting is forming part of the collection of the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid.

The harlequin ichthyosisFinally, it is a rare disease that affects the skin. When a child is born with this disease, their appearance resembles the costume of harlequins due to the scales that cover almost all of your Body.