François Boucher 1703-1770
Born in Paris, François Boucher is one of the most celebrated artists of the 18th century and is credited with the development of the Rococo style and its spread across Europe. He worked in a wide variety of mediums like porcelain, tapestry and print and was a talented painter, draughtsman, etcher and stage designer. From royals to bourgeois collectors, Boucher had a diverse range of patrons, one of which was Madame de Pompadour. The mistress of King Louis XV was known as being the “godmother of Rococo” and Boucher’s portraits played an important role in her self-presentation and image development.
The Interrupted Sleep, oil on canvas, c. 1750 
The Toilette of Venus, oil on canvas, c. 1751
Although Boucher’s paintings encompassed a great number of themes, his most original contribution to the aesthetic of Rococo was his reimagining of idealized landscapes. Shepherds and shepherdesses in silk dresses often populated pastoral scenes in a high-toned palette favouring blues and pinks. The Interrupted Sleep and The Toilette of Venus are fine examples of this type of subject matter. What became the hallmark of Boucher’s work and what stood out to me the most was his refined but whimsical style, gently modelled forms and delicate use of colours.
The Love Letter, oil on canvas, c. 1750 
The Birth and Triumph of Venus, oil on canvas, c. 1740 
Allegory of Painting, oil on canvas, c. 1765 
Allegory of Music, oil on canvas, c. 1764
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Boucher
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/bouc/hd_bouc.htm
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/metpublications/Francois_Boucher_1703_1770
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francois-Boucher
One reply on “Rococo”
Rayna,
Excellent work on Boucher here! You have plenty of historical background through your research and have combined that with your own personal thoughts about the pieces in question. That is just what I’m looking for. I’m giving you 2/2 on your first two posts. Well Done!
Jeff