Harlequin is one of a decorative series of paintings made for the old Berkeley Hotel on the corner of Piccadilly and Berkeley Street (it later moved to Knightsbridge in 1972). Originating in the Italian Commedia dell’Arte in the 16th century, the figure of the harlequin became by the 19th century a romantic, often melancholic character. The subject was taken up in turn by the Cubist and Surrealist movements, and Picasso in particular was fascinated by the figure, who recurs throughout his work from the turn of the 20th century.

Armstrong would certainly have encountered Picasso’s Saltimbanques paintings of circus

performers from his Rose Period (1904–06). His own harlequin assumes a languid contrapposto, his mask held in his hand and turned towards him, accentuating his introspective character. The grand, billowing background contrasts with the slight shadow cast by the harlequin; his ruff is shell-like and peach in colour, and the sword recedes behind his diamond-patterned tights. His head turns not towards the viewer but away to our right, his expression one of theatrical surprise. This was one of a number of mural commissions made in this period, including a ceiling for the Council Chamber for the City Hall in Bristol in 1955 and decorations in 1960–1 for the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey.

JOHN ARMSTRONG (1893-1973)HARLEQUIN, 1950

JOHN ARMSTRONG (1893-1973)

HARLEQUIN, 1950