The Italian Comedians (copy)
19th century
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
overall: 63.8 x 76 cm (25 1/8 x 29 15/16 in.) framed: 80.7 x 92.7 x 3.8 cm (31 3/4 x 36 1/2 x 1 1/2 in.)
Classification
Painting
Department
CF
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Georges Wildenstein
Accession Number
1960.13.1
Art Historical Context
This 19th-century oil on canvas is a faithful copy after the French master Antoine Watteau, whose original composition celebrated the graceful world of theater and masquerade. Created long after Watteau’s lifetime, the reproduction demonstrates how later artists continued to engage with his light-filled scenes and delicate figures, preserving their charm for new generations of viewers. Painted in oil on canvas—a medium prized for its rich color and smooth blending—this work measures 63.8 by 76 cm and now resides in the National Gallery of Art thanks to the generous gift of Georges Wildenstein...