'LES GUIGNOLS' PAINTING OF PUPPETS

Framed oil painting of a group of French puppets known as Guignols.

With its wonderful colours and atmosphere, this charming painting, dates to early 1900's. Oil on canvas and backed on card, it is in a carved frame.
[Dimensions include frame]

Guignol, is the most well known puppet character in France, where his name has become synonymous with puppet theatre. The hand puppet was created by the puppeteer Laurent Mourguet of Lyons in the early 19th century and was supposedly named for an actual canut, or Lyonnais silk worker. Guignol was performed with regional dialect, mannerisms and traditional dress of the peasant. Short-nosed, round-eyed, and perpetually surprised, he was easily duped but quick to extricate himself from trouble and to help his friends and drinking companions. Though sometimes resembling a Lyonnais version of the Punch-and-Judy show, Guignol usually appeared in his own plays featuring his wife, Madelon, and his companion, Gnafron.

Circa: Early 20th Century

Origin: France

Condition: In good condition

Dimensions: 46.5cm h x 58cm w x 5cm d