Grimaldi and his 'pugilistic vegetable figure'

This watercolour of the clown Joseph Grimaldi has a long inscription which reads, 'Grimaldi and his "pugilistic vegetable figure" as represented in the pantomine (sic) of "Harlequin Olio" at Covent Garden Theatre in the year 1816. Drawn by T M Grimshaw, who performed with Grimaldi in 1814 to 23 at Covent Garden, Sadlers Wells and Coburg Theatres.'

Grimaldi ( 1778-1837) was a celebrated English clown and began to appear at Sadler's Wells Theatre from the age of three. He introduced the modern clown to the world, building on the existing role of Clown as a country bumpkin and fool, derived from the Commedia dell'arte; and making the clown the central character in the Harlequinade. His physical comedy was extraordinary, as was his ability to invent visual tricks and buffoonery, and his ability to poke fun at the audience.