This picture is a rendition inspired by various sources. Below, you will find some explanations, if you are inclined to investigations…
There is a couple of clowns in Italian Commedia dell’Arte that probably had been an inspiration for the early tarot decks.
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The white clown is named Mattacino, Mattello, or Matterello.
Linked to the Fool arcana — Traditionally a symbol for foolishness, it is also a symbol of freedom, as it stands out of the game (he bears no number). |
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The red clown is called Bagatino, or Bagattino (one of the names of the Juggler in the first Italian decks).
Linked to the Magus/Juggler arcana — A symbol of the craftsman, the magician, the creator of illusion and initiator of movements. |
Bagatino is probably a variant of Harlequin (Arlecchino, the infamous facetious knave, enamoured of Columbina or Arlecchina).
Harlequin was a recurrent character in Picasso’s paintings, sometimes in a subliminal fashion (Guernica). Picasso identified him with Hermes.
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This is really interesting. Can you give me some sources for your identification of Harlequin with “le Bateleur”? (I’ve been following the same hunch but trying to find some solid supporting evidence.) Also where can I read more about Picasso identifying Harlequin with Hermes? Do you know where he got the idea?
Hi Shannon,
Interesting questions; I don’t really remember now one specific source, but I just did some quick researches to get more factual evidences that may be helpful
I think the link you are searching for originates with the analysis of early Italian tarot decks & specifically with a book from Gertrude Moakley The Tarot Cards Painted by Bonifacio Bembo for the Visconti-Sforza Family (1966) where some trumps are linked to the Commedia dell’Arte
As for Picasso’s identification of Harlequin and Hermes, I remember reading he used to refer as his Harlequins as « Harlequin Trismegistus » which is a classical epithet of Hermes. I found while searching for these words in Google Books that he might have gotten the ideas and fascination from poet Apollinaire
Hope it gives you some more clues!
Yep, I have Moakley’s book—she’s what sparked me thinking about a connection between Harlequin and the magician card (though she doesn’t make that link directly).
Thanks for the “Harlequin Trismegistus” clue—fascinating!
By the way I don’t think the commedia clowns could have directly inspired the tarot illustrations — the tarot cards seem to date to about 1450 while commedia dell’arte is usually placed as starting a century later, isn’t it? Plus none of the tarot figures are masked. I think it’s probably more accurate to say that both tarot and commedia dell’arte spring from the culture of Carnival and share a common set of themes and symbols.
You might also be interested in the discussion at (link)
Thanks again for the info on Picasso!