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Charlotte Mason Picture Study Aid Antoine Watteau

Mezzetin

ca. 1718–20
Oil on canvas
55.2 x 43.2 cm
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
KEY TOPICS:

• Mezzetin, a character from the Italian commedia dell’arte, is prominent in the middle lower
part of the painting. He is tilting his head back as he plays his guitar or mandolin, most

likely singing about lost (or never had) love (signified by the statue of Venus in the

background who is turning her back to him). He is sitting on a bench with bushes and trees
around him, as well as a wall to the right. Surrounding the statue in the background are

more trees, growing up and out of the picture plane, as well as a distant sky.
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• Mezzetin was known for being dishonest and lovelorn, as well as meddling in the affairs of

others, but Watteau gives him a more human side here. He is normally identified by his half-

pants, cape, floppy hat, and no mask. His clothing is usually black, white, and red, but
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Watteau chose to give him different colors here.
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• He may be looking up at and singing to a balcony on the wall above him where the object of

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his affection may be standing.
• His fingers are very detailed, but their awkwardness suggests he was straining to play.
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13 (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

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