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Keying Up: The Court Jester

William Merritt Chase

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a person dressed in a jester's attire. The person is standing, holding an object that resembles a puppet or a mask. The person's face has exaggerated features, with a pronounced nose and a closed-mouth grin. They wear a jester's cap and outfit, including a patterned shirt with ruffles at the cuffs, and pants with a zig-zag hem. A patterned garment hangs from the left arm. The figure stands on a textured floor, with part of a decorative column visible on the left. The background is dark, contrasting with the lighter tones of the clothing. The image is signed "W.M. Chase" in the lower left corner.

Artwork Details

Date
c. 1875
Medium
etching
Dimensions
3162 × 4877 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
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