Grimaldi and the Nondescript in the Red Dwarf
Artist
William Heath
(British, 1795 - 1840)
Datecirca 1813
CultureEnglish
MediumHand-color etching
ClassificationPrints
Credit LineMuseum purchase?
Object numberSN1546.135.15
The contemporary image of a clown is founded in large part on the character “Clown” from 18th century Harlequin pantomimes. The elegant Harlequin and his love, Columbine, were the focus of the early pantomimes, while Clown originated as a bumbling servant of Columbine’s father, Pantaloon, a greedy, pompous character.
Clown grew in popularity with the rise of actor Joseph Grimaldi (1778 – 1837). The Clown character evolved into a satirical figure, taunting establishment characters like Pantaloon. In this image, Grimaldi as Clown leans over the figure of Pantaloon who he has clothed as a “Nondescript” with the “Skin of a Lion, the Head of an Ass, Eagle’s Wings, Cat’s Feet, and a Fishes Tail.”
On View
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Unknown
Early-19th century