Mezzetin
The Met
Artist: Antoine Watteau(French, Valenciennes 1684–1721 Nogent-sur-Marne)
Date: ca. 1718–20
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 21 3/4 x 17 in. (55.2 x 43.2 cm)
Credit Line: Munsey Fund, 1934
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A person in a striped costume and pink wig plays a guitar in a lush green garden
Detailed Description
The painting depicts a full-length portrait of a person seated outdoors, playing a guitar. The figure is positioned slightly left of center, with their body angled towards the right and their head tilted upwards and to the right. They wear a light blue, white, and pinkish-red striped tunic and matching breeches, adorned with a large, ruffled white collar and cuffs. A pinkish-red cloak is draped over their right shoulder and lap. White stockings cover their legs, which are crossed at the ankles, with the left leg over the right. Light-colored shoes with pink rosettes on the ankles complete the attire. The figure has a fair complexion, rosy cheeks, and a pinkish-red, curly, shoulder-length wig or hair. Their mouth is slightly open. They hold a light-colored, possibly wooden, guitar with a dark fretboard, and their hands are positioned on the strings and fretboard. The guitar features an ornate, circular design around its soundhole. The background on the left side of the canvas is filled with dense, dark green foliage, interspersed with lighter green leaves and some yellow-green highlights. A faint, pale, statue-like figure is partially visible in the mid-ground among the trees. On the right side, more dark green foliage is present, with a hint of a light-colored architectural structure, possibly a wall or column, visible along the far right edge. The ground beneath the figure is rendered in dark, earthy tones with sparse green vegetation. The overall lighting appears to emanate from the upper left, illuminating the figure's face and the guitar against the darker, verdant backdrop.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
