František Tichý (1896-1961)

HARLEQUIN

1953
Mixed media: pencil and gouache on paper, 36,5x26 cm, 1953, signed and dated in ink in lower right corner „Tichý 53“. mounted, framed, glazed. Accompanied by an expert opinion by PhDr. Rea Michalová, Ph.D. Citation: “…The head of Harlequin is depicted here in a three-quarter profile as a bust. The mask with its traditional beak-like nose emphasizes the powerful contrast of black and white (the latter visible through the cut-out openings for the eyes), accentuated by the red colour of the lips. The pathos and mystery of the hero’s face are brightened by the costume section with its coloured diamond pattern, which historically arose from a stylisation of the original ‘patches’ meant to symbolise the servant’s poverty…”.