Arlequin

Ever since I was little, I've loved the Harlequin, Arlequin in French. I was fascinated by his intricate patterns and made this painting inspired by his style as well as Napoleon's famous black hat, as part of my French heritage.

Napoleon's posture and clothing echo portraits I grew up seeing, while the bold stripes and mask-like face turn tradition into play.

I built up thick layers of paint and then scraped parts away, letting past tones show through, to reflect Harlequin's personality changes throughout history. The bird perched on his hat symbolizes the freedom I felt as a child and an artist, to keep changing and discovering who I am, much like Harlequin's done in his evolution from a foolish trickster to a more charming and playful character, far from a fool he once was. I created Arlequin to explore texture and color in a painting.