Janson’s Ch. 22 Rococo in France
Jean Antoine Watteau 1721 Gersaint’s Signboard, ad vfor art shop of friend. End of
Louis XIV”s reign, paintings of him put in box on left. Shop sells mirros as well as
paintings. Elaborate satin dresses. Women and men both in shop interested in art,
purchases for home, not just govt or church. Paining infl by Brueghel alleg of sight,
also in a painting gallery.
Watteau died 1721, both in area acquired by French from low countries, influ by N Ren
art there.
Pilgrimage to Cythera, island of love, setting for Greek myth of birth of Venus from sea.
French Academy admit him with this work and call it a fete galante or outdoor
entertainment Variety of couples in this romance, narratie of comonig or going from boat.
Pastel colors, indebtness to Rubens Rubéniste. Study Rubens in Luxembourg palace.
Lovely idyllic landscape.
A musician, figure of commedia dell’arte. Amourous suitor Stage like setting, costume
colorful, magical.
Young Woman uses 3 chalks, red for body, black and white for clothing, upswept hair.
Francoise Boucher 1703-1770 Very influential, court painter to Mme do Pompadour,
Louix XV’s mistress. Toilet of Venus alludes to role Mme played in play A Toilet of
Venus performed at Versailles in 1750. Lush erotic scene typical of Rococo, infl by
Vouet’s sensuous goddess, but now eternally youthful. Eroticism enrocih royal lives.
Great appeal to Arist.
Jean Honoré Fragonard 1732-1806 pupil of Boucher, 5 years in Rome. Fantasy, The
Swing 1767
Flirtation and licentiousness An artists was approached by a Baron to poaint his mistress
“on a swing which a bishop is setting in motion. You will place me in a position in which
I can see the legews of the lovely child. Artist declined but gave commission to
Fragonard who obliged. Intrigue bet artist and patron Voyeurist, teasing quality, as arist
croach under the swing carrying the lady. Countr setting in sp;ring or summer, lush,
elabor dress. There was aplay on broadway 3 scenes used this scene.
Jean Siméon Chardin Back from the Market 1739 Bourgeois artist rose to French
Academy, Scene of soman back from shopping similar to art of lowlands. Virtue of hard
work, honesety, frugality. Compared to dutch interoior, Chardin softere on edges, reveal
inner nature of objects rather than every detail., dignity.
Kitchen Still Life. Balanced Compos.
Blowing Bubbles 1733 instant, see through, transience Children playing.
Elizabeth-Louisie Vigée-Lebrun l of most successful portrait painters, court painter for
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette and her Children painted 1787. Shown as noramal humble woman,
empbty cradle, children die.
Boy Louis Joseph would die in 2 years, Marie Therese by her side, son Louis Charles on
her lap. Motheerhood much praised in Rousseau’s writings.
Elaborate interiors of Parisian interiors, here 1735 preserved in Metropolitan Museum
NYC architects work w. decorators on such interiors. Place for a salon, gathering of
intell. Paintings set in walls, mirros, built in, gilt molding.
Duchess de Villars was patron. Paintings by Boucher set in.
Potpouri container, Sevres royal porcelain factory
Clodion’s Nympth and Satyr Carousing, 1780 Clodion made miniature sculptures of
figures in Boucher and Fragonard paintings. Also tapestries imitated the 2 painters’
designs well into Romantic period.