The homepage of US artist Patrick M, Webb is wholly dedicated to his large series of “Punchinello-paintings”. Resurrecting this tragicomic character from 17th century Italian commedia-della-arte, Webb casts Punchinello as a gay man in 20th-century America. Poignant and beautiful, the paintings tell the story of every facet of this often lonely man’s life, from solitary nights in front of the television, spying on other men in the showers at the gym, or simply at work or on the subway. Most pictures are painted in a style reminiscent of socialistic working class heroism from the forties, making a hero of this lonely struggler. Some moments of happiness and triumph occur, as when he meets other “punchinelli”, has an affair, celebrates gay pride, or when he just happily juggles colourful balls in a sunny park. The paintings together form a beautiful telling of the heroism of going through an ordinary, un-glorious life – as part of an often despised group of society.

I rate the Punchinello-series a full six stars.

http://www.patrick-webb.com/