Ben Uri Gallery and Museum company logo
Ben Uri Gallery and Museum
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Homepage
  • What's on
  • About Us
  • Bookshop
  • BU TV
  • Collections
  • Contact Us
  • Exhibitions
  • Health
  • Kids
  • Museum to Museum
  • Podcasts
  • Press
  • Published Scholarship
  • Ben Uri Research Unit
  • Support Us
Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Youtube, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Twitter, opens in a new tab.
Cart
0 items £
Checkout

Item added to cart

View cart & checkout
Continue shopping
Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Youtube, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Twitter, opens in a new tab.
Menu
  • Menu
  • Menu
Alfred Cohen
An American Artist in Europe - Between Figuration and Abstraction

Alfred Cohen: An American Artist in Europe - Between Figuration and Abstraction

Forthcoming exhibition
  • Works
  • Overview
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Alfred Cohen (1920-2001) Four Pictures from the Commedia dell'Arte 1964 Ink and wash and gouache 27.9 x 20.3 cm Alfred Cohen Art Foundation © Estate of Alfred Cohen 2020

Scaramouche (top left) is one of the commedia dell'arte's stock clowns; facing him is a youthful, Punch, dressed to impress. But the 'masque for Polichinelle' (lower left) gives a contrasting view. The words are from a French song in which a military Punch boasts his omnipotence:

 

quand je marche la terre tremble

c'est moi qui conduis le soleil

 

'when I march, the Earth trembles / I make the sun move'. Yet the pale mask and skeletal jaw tell a different story, giving the appearance of a death's head. The seated figure (lower right), Harlequin, raises his arm in what looks like a friendly greeting. But his enigmatic mask makes it hard to read his intentions. His other arm is resting on, or might be reaching for, his cudgel.

Enquire

Scaramouche (top left) is one of the commedia dell'arte's stock clowns; facing him is a youthful, Punch, dressed to impress....

Previous
|
Next
28 
of  59
Back to exhibitions

ABOUT US    SUPPORT US   CONTACT US  WHAT'S ON

 

BACK TO TOP ↑ 

 

Heritage FundArt Fund     Victoria and Albert Museum 

Website footer banner

 
Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Twitter, opens in a new tab.
Youtube, opens in a new tab.
Pinterest, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
LinkedIn, opens in a new tab.
Artsy, opens in a new tab.
Join the mailing list
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Vimeo, opens in a new tab.
Privacy Policy
Accessibility Policy
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2022 Ben Uri Gallery and Museum
Site by Artlogic

We use cookies to make our website work more efficiently, to provide you with more personalised services or advertising, and to analyse traffic on our website. For more information please read our cookies policy. If you don't agree to the use of our cookies, the quality of your experience of our website may be lessened.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

If you want to receive updates about our upcoming exhibitions, lectures, online content and all our news, please sign up below.

 

We value and respect your privacy. Your personal data will be kept private and processed securely, according to our Privacy Policy. If you change your mind anytime, you can unsubscribe directly when receiving a mail from us (the link will be at the bottom of the email) or contact us.

Sign up

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you are not happy with this, you can opt-out below. 

 

Read More