French painter of the Rococo era
Jean-Antoine Watteau
was born,
October 10, 1684
in the Flemish town of Valenciennes which had recently passed from the Spanish Netherlands to France.
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Watteau was a French painter whose brief career spurred the revival of interest in colour and movement, as seen in the tradition of Correggio and Rubens. He revitalized the waning Baroque style, shifting it to the less severe, more naturalistic, less formally classical, Rococo. Watteau is credited with inventing the genre of fêtes galantes, scenes of bucolic and idyllic charm, suffused with a theatrical air. Some of his best known subjects were drawn from the world of Italian comedy and ballet.
He was a prolific draftsman. His drawings, typically executed in trois crayons technique, were collected and admired even by those, such as count de Caylus or Gersaint, who found fault with his paintings. You may count me in too in those admirers!
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So here’s a glimpse of his work [no quotes…]
Drawings
click on the drawings to see in full view
A Man Reclining and a Woman Seated on the Ground 
A Fête Galante with Falconers 
Head of a Man 
Italian Comedians Taking Their Bows 
Mezzetin 
Seated Woman Looking Down 
Seated Guitarist 
Study of a Nude Man Holding Bottles 
Standing Savoyarde with a Marmot Box 
Seated Woman 
Study of a Woman’s Head and Hands 
The Bower 
The Gallant Gardener 
Three Studies of a Woman’s Head and a Study of Hands [recto] 
The Wedding Procession 
The March of Silenus [recto] 
Treetops [verso] 
Two Studies of a Violinist Tuning His Instrument 
View of a House, a Cottage, and Two Figures [verso]
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I have chosen music by the French composer
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)
one of the most important French composers
and music theorists of the 18th century.
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Les Indes Galantes
Suite (excerpt)
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Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century,
Frans Brüggen – conductor
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For more information on Watteau:
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/watt/hd_watt.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Watteau
https://www.jean-antoine-watteau.orghttps://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/jean-antoine-watteau
https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1967.html
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:WikiProject_sum_of_all_paintings/Creator/Antoine_Watteau
Marina Kanavaki 
There is something vaguely disturbing about these paintings. I’m not sure what it is, maybe the artifice of life?
I think it may be the Rococo period as a whole, I sense that too.
It’s not just me, then?
No! 😉
🙂
You put so much work into bringing these artists to us, I feel the need to comment! I know little about the Rococo style. His work seems soft and warm and very romantic, passionate really. The operatic influence is obvious. His sketches of various heads and hands are wonderful. Thank you, once again!
Oh, Mary Jo, thank you! It wasn’t really planned. My first one was Van Gogh when I found out it was his birthday the day I posted. That’s when I decided to create a calendar of artists (Oannes with his musician calendar had something to do with it too!) It’s a beautiful journey to me diving into artists work and I’m happy sharing it! Even happier when friends share this joy too! Watteau’ drawings are so beautiful! Many hugs!
I enjoy these historical retrospectives, especially with artists I don’t know well, like Watteau.
Very happy to hear that! Thank you, my friend! 🙏
Very nice. This one esp. spoke to me
The nobility and people ‘of means’ must have had a pretty sweet life back then. At least, that’s how it appears. Maybe they too suffered from ‘depression’ and ‘alienation’ like so many today. Certainly broken hearts and longing…
As for the peasants, the vast majority, I doubt they’d be as enthusiastic if they even had had a chance to view ‘high art.’
Just some thoughts while looking this over. Great collection and pres. 🙂👸🌟
Thank you, my dear friend and for your thoughts on this beautiful painting.
🙏😊
Always a pleasure. 🙂🙏
🙏🙏
Interesting. Thanks for the collection of paintings. Although well done, not a style that grabs my attention. Then again, just another reason why there are so many styles! 🙂
You are very welcome! Thank You!
He is considered a master painter and I appreciate his work [obviously] however I feel closer to his drawings than his paintings. So I understand! 😉
I adore this artists work. I especially enjoy his chalk pastel studies and works. I want to do the Art Gowns Models in that style/technique.
I have the pastels, the paper, the smudge sticks, but all I’ve ever made is a mess.
Nonetheless, I’ll give it a go again!
The video was not available here, but I was listening to Camille Saint-Saëns on Oannes,while looking at this fabulous art!
Sending much love!
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Get on it!!!!!!! Pastels and chalk are so much fun! I know you’ll love it!
…I can’t wait to see!
See if these work:
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
and more love!!!!!!!!
LOLOL!
I’m still working with the chalk pastels… easier than it looks.
I must say drawing motorcycles and tartan are just as hard.
xoxoxoxo
Can’t wait to see!!!!!!!!!!
I know what you mean!!! 😉
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I enjoyed the music and both the paintings & drawings.
I can see why the drawings appeal: ‘Three Studies of a Woman’s Head and a Study of Hands’ along with ‘Study of a Woman’s Head and Hands’ are my particular favourites.
Oh, happy to hear that! I’ve always believed that drawings and sketches reveal the talent and even if someone didn’t know that he is considered a master, they would see it in his drawings! May sound naive of me but I enjoy them more than his paintings! 🤭
Gorgeous paintings! Such an incredible artist xoxoxo
Yes, he was! I’m particularly fond of his drawings! Glad you enjoyed! Many hugs and xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
They are gorgeous. You have a lovely blog ( you two).
Awww…. thank you (from both!) Glad you enjoyed! 😚😘🥰😚
Very much! Xoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo