Pierrot with Guitar

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• Lucia Piestanska asked

  Hello,
  I am a student of Visual Arts and am studying the piece "Pierrot with Guitar" (1923) by Gino Severini. I would like you to ask, whether you have further information about this piece regarding its function, purpose, context or cultural significance. Or perhaps you could redirect me to some sources or a person I could contact who would be able to answer my inquiries?
  I really appreciate any help you can provide.
  Lucia Piestanska

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Lucia, Thanks for your question. I advise you to read a little about the artist and avantgarde art in the 1920's. Severini is well known as a so called Futurist, In his paintings from the 1910's he tried to express movement en sound in dynamic, almost abstract patterns of forms and colours. This paintings shows a complete other side of his artisty. As many avant-garde artists (i.e. Picasso) in the 1920's, he returned to classical subjects in a traditional composition. Good luck with your study! Kind regards, Els

• Steen Bille asked

  Hello at the museum. A couple of weeks ago I bought an old postcard at a Oudegracht shop showing Gino Severino's "Pierrot and guitar", a BW picture from 1923 of which you have the original painting in your storage. Can you tell me the name of the person portrayed? And the story of the picture? I have seen it here on your webside.
  Kind regards
  Steen Bille
  from Denmark

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Steen, the figure on Severini's painting is not an individual portrait but a well known type or character from Italian historical theatre, the so called 'commedia dell'arte tradition. This figure is probably Pierrot, the sad servant clown who is pining for love but whose heart is broken. Some people think it is Pulcinella, also dressed in white and very versatile in status and attitude, who is often rescuing other figures from trouble. At the time Severini painted this work, many artists were interested in theatre and circus tradition, think for instance of the dancers and clowns by Picasso. I hope this is helpful. Kind regards, Els

• Roberto Ubbidiente asked

  Hi! I would like to use these image for the Cover of my next Book. I am a literary critic and my next Book will be published in Italy and in Italian Language. I need a Photo of these painting in high resolution (300 dpi) and your permission to press the image on the Book-Cover. Thanks ahed for your answer
  r.ubbidiente

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Hi Roberto, you can read the procedure to request images on this webpage https://www.boijmans.nl/en/image-requests
  Best, Lisa