Eugene Picou (FRENCH, 1831-1914)

The scene captures Pierrot serenading his love, Columbine. He was a popular figure during the 19th Century, when he was most famously performed by Jean-Gaspard Deburau (1796-186). In Deburau's incarnation of the role, Pierrot not only performs unmasked, but abandons his conical hat and ruff in favour of a black skull-cap. In the present lot Pierrot's mask is hung up and his hat is discarded on the floor. The attention lies instead on his relationship with Columbine.