Art History Series: Fête galantes – the beginning of a new genre

Antoine Watteau created a lot of works with themes completely new for his time. In 1712 the Royal Academy accepted him and it took him 5 years to submit his reception piece. When this happens, the academy is so impressed that they create a whole new category, Fête galantes, so they don't have to deny him admission because he doesn't fit any of the traditional ones. With this, he makes a completely new turn in the history of art. This is "The Embarkation for Cythera", which shows a frivolous celebration of the aristocracy after the harsh rule of Louis XIV.

Cythera is the supposed birthplace of Aphrodite and we can see a statue of her in the background. The picture is amorous, filled with cherubs, and all the participants are paired off, paying their pilgrimage to the goddess. We can read the couples as each showing the stages of falling in love. The man in the first couple is stepping on a sword to show no ill intent, and each subsequent couple seems more and more at ease in the other's presence. Despite its title, it appears that these people are leaving rather than coming to the island, but despite the questions, Watteau remains silent on the question and leaves the answers to the viewer's imagination. It is now on display in the Louvre.

In 1719 he made a second version of this theme, which is much more elaborate and detailed and is sometimes called "Pilgrimage to Cythera" to distinguish them. It is located in Charlottenburg, Berlin, where I first saw it and subsequently recognized its version in the Louvre.

He continues to follow his own voice and persistently create what he deems valuable, which I find impressive, especially for his time. I hope it gives you some courage too!

Regards,

Julia

#rococo #rococoart #watteau #frenchpainter #painter #arthistory #art #classicalart #history #fetesgalantes #AntoineWatteau

Art History Series: The Romantic of the Century - Antoine Watteau (1684 - 1721)

Antoine Watteau

As one of my favourite styles is Rococo, I will tell you about Antoine Watteau as one of its founders, although this name is coined much later. He revived a sense of colour in the model of Rubens and breathed life into the already dying Baroque, moving it to gentler themes, more natural and more romantic touches. Watteau is not often mentioned as a famous artist of his time during his lifetime, or at least not in a good way. His work is seen as frivolous, with the first beginnings of impressionism in contrast to the classical school. He is perhaps the first artist who started to create like contemporary artists - for the art itself and with a personal style and choice of subjects, for which I admire him. He eventually became one of the most influential artists of the 18th century and remains a model for many artists after him. Despite his fragile health, he creates numerous works, searching for something he may never find. Unlike subsequent Rococo artists who relied on sexual motifs, in Watteau's paintings behind his theatrical sweep and love themes, there is sadness and despondency. In a biography written about him later it is said that: “He was always a seeker after something in the world, that is there in no satisfying measure, or not at all.” This description was exactly the feeling I had when I saw his works for the first time, and a feeling which I am very familiar with. It is the tenderness in his paintings that attracted me from our first "meeting".

    Regards,

    Julia

#AntoineWatteau #arthistory #Rococo #history #romantic

Happy Lunar New Year

The dragon is a symbol of growth, progress and abundance bringing us strength to start a new successful venture with long-term success. The dragon stands for honour and the wood element cares about bringing change to the world, I hope your year is full of these things, too!

The image I am showing you is an extremely small detail from a painting by Chen Rong in 1244 spanning a meter and a half in width, entitled "Nine Dragons" as the forces of nature and their impermanence. Chinese art plays an important role in the art world by discovering many techniques and materials that I like to use in my works as well. Chinese inks are famous for their durability and many of the paintings have been preserved throughout history even in the face of great destruction - fires, floods and others. The detailed craftsmanship is always part of my inspiration when I need a break for the eyes.

Regards, Julia

#ladureena #art #arthistory #lunarnewyear #newyear