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Charlotte Mason Picture Study Aid Antoine Watteau

• Brighella, the figure in gold and black gesturing to Pierrot, is usually known as being head of

the zannis, or tricksters, of the commedia. He is normally seen in a white and green
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costume, however, several sources referred to this figure as Brighella (while one listed him as

Scaramouche who is normally seen in an all-black costume). Watteau also changed the
colors in the costume of Mezzetin, so he may have also taken some artistic liberty here as

well.

• The roses on the steps in the foreground as well as the poses of the individuals suggest that
the scene is from the end of a play when the players are taking their final bow, though there

is much speculation that this was a completely made-up scene. 15,16,18

• The statue head above the door may be that of Momus, the Greek god of mockery.
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• This appears to be another case where Watteau did some preliminary sketches before

painting the piece as can be seen in the sketch below, also in the National Gallery of Art:

19 (Rudlin)

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