People of Color in European Art History

Harlequin  is the best-known of the zanni or comic servant characters from the Italian Commedia dell'arte. Traditionally believed to have been introduced by Zan Ganassa in the late 16th century, the role was definitively popularized by the Italian actor Tristano Martinelli in Paris in 1584–1585 and became a stock character after Martinelli's death in 1630.  The Harlequin is characterized by his chequered costume. His role is that of a light-hearted, nimble and astute servant, often acting to thwart the plans of his master, and pursuing his own love interest, Colombina, with wit and resourcefulness, often competing with the sterner and melancholic Pierrot. He later develops into a prototype of the romantic hero.

via Wikipedia

• Oil on canvas, 142 x 120 cm.
• Tabley House Collection

The black groom wears a chiton, a common garment especially suited for strenuous activity, and short, form-fitting boots. His upturned face is rendered with skill and sensitivity. The gracefully curving features of his face and the tightly knit curls of hair characterize him unmistakably as of African origin. As he whistles through pursed lips, the youth looks into the eyes of the horse to gauge the intentions of his charge. With his right hand he holds up a whip, while he tries to calm the animal with the other. The groom’s face is not idiosyncratic enough to be taken as a portrait, but the suavity of his features faithfully captures the essence of youthful ardor and intelligence. The entire visual effect of the relief once depended on the vivid coloring applied to its surfaces. The play of solid form and movement conveyed by the swelling masses of stone was dramatically accentuated by contrasting tones of color. From surviving traces of pigment, the skin of the groom was painted black, while the panther skin on the horse’s back was rendered in light red. Almost certainly the rest of the panel was painted as well. The martial context of the relief was further conveyed by the image of a warrior’s helmet and leather armor once depicted above the back of the horse and now reduced to near invisibility. Read More at TheRoot.com

'The Boar Hunt'

Joseph Parrocel

about 1700

The main male hunter looks like a poc (possibly others, but their skin is lighter than his). I also like that it has a noblewoman boar-hunting in a big pink dress!