No, this is not a flowering spring bulb – but the last magnificent gasp of an indoor amaryllis bulb that's been part of my support system to beat the winter doldrums. Another bright spot in the dark days has been my neighbours' Christmas gift – a stunning bromeliad.
It's not as if I could really settle into winter torpor with my Commedia pals always offering up a new element in their ever-evolving plot. Among many things I've learned is that "masks" in the Commedia world mean both the elaborate face coverings and what in English usage we'd call "stock characters" – the subject of this tidy little book I found in the public library.
From this, I first learned that one of the famous "masks" (characters) of the Commedia is Il Capitano. As Wikipedia describes him:
"He is often a braggart and a swaggerer who can maintain his claims only by benefit of the fact that none of the locals knows him. He is usually a Spaniard…Il Capitano often talks at length about made-up conquests of both the militaristic and the carnal variety in an attempt to impress others, but often ends up impressing only himself. He gets easily carried away in his tales and doesn't realise when those around him don't buy his act. He would be the first to run away from any and all battles."
Il Capitano, as above, was called Captain Spavento. In another locale with different associates, he became Captain Spezzaferro as shown here:
Partly due to name variations, partly due to rich collective imaginations, there are literally dozens of characters in the Commedia tradition.
For several weeks, I'd been jotting down notes about the characters I might choose, who they might partner with, and how I might portray them. Reviewing this list early one morning, I thought I'd truly gone bonkers when I read:-- "Il Capitano and Bromeliad." Well – my own bromeliad was developing handsomely so it was certainly on my mind.
Then I remembered that, yes, I'd thought of putting these patterns in near proximity:-- the diagonals and bright yellows and reds of both Il Capitano and ….the bromeliad plant! All I needed was a neighbourhood subject as model. Who won the prize for most hooked nose? A retired high school history and theatre arts teacher whose sweet aging rescue dog seems to be a cross between a German shepherd and a basset hound. (I've been told the pet reports here are of special interest)
So we're off with this early layout.
And moving right along...
I really should have planned the background from the beginning, but I didn't. And as I neared the finish, I considered again a theatre setting. Remember that Il Capitano is often portrayed as Spanish – and indeed, there's a tradition of Commedia dell'Arte in Spanish theatre.
Briefly I considered adding Salvador Dali to the mix, with his own Dali Theatre and Museum. But giant eggs as a rooftop architectural element? I don't think so.
What's more, the route of the travelling Italian players led most directly to Madrid. There, almost unbelievably, two of the famous "masks" – Il Dottore and Harlequin – are performing on-stage at the Prado, one of the world's most great museums.
This painting, by 18th century painter Luis Paret – aged 20! – is the first thing you'll see on the Museo's own website. Play around with the plus-minus box on the screen's right and work your way to the lower left corner. Enlarge the scene and you'll see Il Dottore and Harlequin doing their thing.
I had the grandiose idea that I'd add the theatre balconies to my background but achieved only some blotches. I decided to call it a wrap, letting the two colourful acquaintances stand on their own. Here's the final version of "Hey, Bro' – Il Capitano and Bromeliad" (copyright 2024).
What next? Oh, there's plenty more to come – even if we missed this performance.
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