One of the most brilliant and original artists of the eighteenth century; Antoine Watteau had an impact on the development of Rococo art in France and throughout Europe lasting well beyond his lifetime. Living only thirty-six years; and plagued by frequent illness; Watteau nonetheless rose from an obscure provincial background to achieve fame in the French capital during the Regency of the duc dOrleacute;ans. Watteau clearly had a genuine love of music. His drawings of those playing and listening offer uncanny portraits of the way it can heighten emotions. Equally; the play of light he orchestrates on fine fabrics; on childrenrsquo;s skin or on various elements of his landscapes; provides a startling anticipation of the Impressionists. He is the inventor of la fecirc;te galante; a genre that shows the bourgeoisie at play outdoors. It was an update of the classic format which portrayed mythical beings in pastoral settings. For; rather than selling to royals or aristocrats; Watteaursquo;s art was purchased by rich bankers and tradesmen. His solution was to forge a style they could accept. He replaced traditional nymphs and shepherds with posh Parisians ndash; shown at play not in some mythic Arcardia; but in their own contemporary parks and gardens. He personalized the scenes with figures from two lsquo;outsidersquo; worlds; those of the theatre and of music. Many of the models for such protagonists were Watteaursquo;s own friends: Parisian actors and musicians he often drew. His drawing ability remains spectacular. But even more startling is his modernity.
#1012297 in eBooks 2016-03-07 2016-03-07File Name: B01EGWAZOI
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