France, 19th century / c. 1850–60
Pierrot
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Pierrot as drawing (France, 19th century · c. 1850–60).
Around the time that Paul Gavarni made this drawing, he also created a series of prints called School of the Pierrots (1851–53), which chronicled the character's misadventures.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this drawing as watercolor heightened with white gouache on off-white wove paper and credits Paul Gavarni (French, 1804–1866).
The museum's collection notes: This drawing, by caricaturist Paul Gavarni, presents a character from pantomime and festival culture. Called Pierrot, he is recognizable by his comically ill-fitting clothes and was popular in performances during Gavarni's lifetime. The artist drew Pierrot several times late in his career, often adding humorous captions, which likely related to his work in printmaking and illustration.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPierrotOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.