Pierrot Catching a Fly
Philippe Mercier·1740–50
Historical Context
Philippe Mercier, a French-born painter who worked primarily in England, painted numerous scenes drawn from the commedia dell'arte and popular theater. This image of Pierrot catching a fly transforms the melancholic stock character of the white-faced clown into a subject of quiet contemplation. Mercier's work bridges French Rococo painting and the English conversation piece tradition he helped establish.
Technical Analysis
The oil on canvas employs Mercier's characteristically light, silvery palette with delicate modeling of Pierrot's white costume. The intimate scale and gentle humor reflect the French fête galante tradition transplanted to an English context.
Provenance
Noel Hill, first baron Berwick (died 1789), Attingham Hall, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire [according to Watson 1971]; by descent to Thomas Noel Hill, second baron Berwick (died 1832); Berwick sale, Attingham Hall, August 6, 1827, no. 23, as Watteau, Pantaloon, in the act of catching a Fly upon his hand, to Thomas Kenyon (died 1851) [buyer according to a label removed from the back of the stretcher, preserved in the conservation file]; by descent to Lt. Col. Herbert Edward Kenyon, Pradoe, Oswestry, Shropshire [according to a Colnaghi label removed from the back of the stretcher, preserved in the conservation file]. Christie’s, London, November 23, 1956, no. 97, as Watteau, to Arcade Gallery, London, for £400 [price and buyer according to an annotated sale catalogue in Ryerson Library, Art Institute; according to a letter from Monika Wengraf, Arcade Gallery, to Mary Kuzniar dated June 2, 1981, in curatorial file, Arcade Gallery listed the picture in their records as by Mercier]; sold to Colnaghi, London, as Watteau, 1957 [according to the letter cited above]; sold to Sterling Morton, Chicago, 1959 [according to a letter from Grizelda Grimond, Colnaghi, to Susan Wise dated April 8, 1981, in curatorial file]; Mrs. Sterling Morton (died 1969); bequeathed to the Art Institute, 1969.
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