Francois Boucher (1703 - 1770) France

Francois Boucher (1703 - 1770) France
Antique French Hand Painted Miniature Portrait Plaque
Measures 6 " H x 5 " W

Known for: Rococo portrait, landscape and mythology painting, engraving, palace decorating
Biography: The appreciation of draftsmanship is alive and well, thanks in large part to The Frick Collection with its long-standing commitment of rarely letting a year go by without mounting at least one major drawing exhibition.They have brought us some of the finest shows one might find in New York City, and this year they do not disappoint with the current show of drawings gathered in celebration of the Tercentenary of the birth of Francois Boucher. Long celebrated as one of 18th Century France's shining artistic lights and rightly so Francois Boucher (1703 - 1770), if we accept his own estimate, left the world a legacy of over ten thousand drawings. If largely known by today's general public as a limner of luscious females, Boucher in fact produced drawings on a variety of subjects over his nearly five-decade career that included landscape, history, myth, literature, allegory, religion, and depictions of the quotidian scenes of everyday life all of which you will find examples of in the present exhibition. A sound businessman as well as a master craftsman, he quickly learned who to emulate while carefully developing his own individual style, eventually carving out his place in the rigid hierarchy of "accepted" French painters. Though painting was his preferred metier and on which he primarily made his reputation Boucher continuously and diligently honed his drawing skills throughout his long career. Through such activities as producing a set of illustrations for Molière's works, Boucher raised the art of the drawing to new heights and with success and greater exposure, he soon found himself with clients and patrons that would include the elite from the royal courts. From such sketchy drawings as Family Gathered Around a Cradle ca.1734-35 (Pen and Brown Ink on Cream Antique Laid Paper) to such highly finished works as the charming A Young Country Girl Dancing ca.1765-70 (Black, Red and White Chalks w/Stumping on Buff Laid Paper), Boucher is consistently accomplished in both his composition and hand/eye coordination. In all, Francois Boucher could surely be counted among the finest draftsmen that the golden-age of French academic drawing produced. For the working artist as well as any aficionado of the art of drawing this is a show that you will not want to miss. And, again, The Frick Collection is to be commended for keeping alive a much-needed appreciation for the oft-maligned art of good, solid draftsmanship.
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