Jean-Antoine Watteau
Three Studies of Soldiers Holding Guns, 1715.
Red chalk on paper, 151 x 199 mm.
Collection Frits Lugt, Fondation Custodia, Paris
Watteau’s drawings on view at the Royal Academy Widely known for his bucolic and ‘galantes’ paintings, Jean-Antoine Watteau’s (1684 – 1721) drawings demonstrate the full range of his subject matter. The Royal Academy exhibits these drawings for the first time in the UK, 12 March – 5 June 2011]]>
Source: Royal Academy of Arts, London / theartwolf.com
Often considered to be the first great Rococo painter, Watteau is also credited with inventing the genre of fêtes galantes, bucolic scenes ‘en plen air’, or taken from the world of Italian comedy.
While the exhibition -containing over 80 works on paper created by Watteau- features some of these fêtes galantes (like the ‘Two studies of Mezzetin and a Pierrot’, c. 1712), it also displays portraits (including the exotic ‘Seated Persian Wearing a Turban’, c. 1715) and shop interiors, demonstrating, according to the press note published by the Royal Academy, “the full range of Watteau’s subject matter”.
“Drawing lay at the heart of Watteau’s creative process”, the press note continues, adding that “Throughout his career Watteau worked continually in red chalk (…) He is best known for his mastery of the trois crayons technique, the subtle manipulation and expert balancing of red, black and white.” The Royal Academy also notes that Watteau made little use of pen and ink.
The exhibition, which is on view through June 5th 2011, is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue written by the exhibition curators Pierre Rosenberg and Louis-Antoine Prat.
Related content
Jean-Antoine Watteau: Music and Theater at the Metropolitan Museum (2009 exhibition)
Watteau ‘Surprise’ for sale at Christie’s
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