Definition of arlequin - What is it, Meaning and Concept

In ancient French, Hellequin was the name given to a devil .This ended up in Italian as arlecchino , and then to our language as arlequin.

To understand what a harlequin is, you must first refer to the art comedy , a theatrical modality that emerged in Italy in the middle of the 16th century .In this genre , Arlequin is a character who wears a mask and wears a colorful costume with rhombuses.Together with Colombina and Brighella , he composes the set of the servants.

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

The typical harlequin suit derives from the rags of a beggar .From pieces of different garments, the original colorful harlequin costume was developed With the passing of the years, the harlequin suit became composed of brightly colored rhombuses, with preponderance of green and red.

As for the 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 flat and eyes 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 titled "Arlequin" that the great Malaga-born painter Pablo Picasso created and presented in the year 1917.

It is an oil painting that founded the city of Barcelona in 1919 and that, at present, 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 piece of a part of that artist's career.In particular, it is established that he is the protagonist of his so-called pink stage, because he uses it not only to represent yourself but also to come to make clear the criticism that makes the society of the moment.

In the same way, we cannot ignore that another of the most great Spanish artists also painted this character that concerns us.Specifically, it was Salvador Dali who presented a four titled “Arlequi” in 1926 (Arlequin) ).

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

The Harlequin ichthyosis , finally, is a rare disease that affects the skin.When a child is born with this disease, its appearance resembles the harlequin costume due to the scales that cover almost all of its body .