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The image of black is as much about the absence of a literal black, as the presence. The phenomenon of blackface, for example is part of this visual history. The white face, painted black was used as a means through which ideas or prejudices about African’s could be conveyed. It was also a mask, behind which lewd behaviour; unusual fantasies and even crimes could be acted out. In 1723 the 'Black Act' was passed, which prohibited and executed people who would 'black up' their faces to commit crimes - specifically against the royal household in Windsor. Flourishing
in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Italian situation.drama
known as the Commedia dell’Arte would produce a character or mask
named Arlechino – The Harlequin. At the centre of all drama and
known as the little devil, he was a servant in the ‘lowly quarters’,
who was energetic but very lazy, and his cunning schemes rarely worked
out due to his inherent stupidity. |
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