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Pastorale 1750 19th Century 11 1/4 in. x 8 in. (28.58 cm x 20.32 cm) François Boucher (Paris, France, 1703 - May 30, 1770, Paris, France) Object Type: Drawing Medium and Support: charcoal on paper Credit Line: Arkansas Arts Center Foundation Collection: Purchased with a gift from Helen Porter and James T. Dyke in memory of Howard Stebbins IV. 1996.001 Accession Number: 1996.001 Comments: The prominent French artist Francois Boucher (1714-1789) had to meet several criteria established by the Academie de Peinture et de Sculpture established in 1648 by the King of France, Louis XIV, (the Sun King), to achieve his ultimate standing as an artist. This system was meant to maintain certain standards and decorum for the art produced in France and continued through Louis XV who began his rule in 1715. To qualify for the Academy an artist had to meet several criteria, including study at a government approved art school. Then an artist had to win the Prix de Rome, which qualified the artist to travel in Italy. Upon return, the artist went on probation as a member of the Academy During this period, he would produce a picture that included a subject chosen by the Premier peintre du roi (First Painter to the King). Categories of subjects were rated according to a hierarchy. History painting was first and included religious and mythological work. This was followed by Portraits, Genre Scenes (those from everyday life), Still-lifes and finally pure Landscapes. Using this hierarchy, one might be tempted to label Boucher's drawing as a pure landscape, making our drawing an example of one of the lower tiers. But in addition to drawings Boucher created, tapestry and theater designs, book illustrations, and designs for the royal porcelain factory. For such projects he gained a reputation for depicting light-hearted shepherds within a lush landscape. These works are not faithful reproductions of a site in France. Instead they depict idyllic settings - reflecting a longing for purer times, and a possible nostalgia for the spirit of antiquity. In Pastorale, the woman appears to smile daintily and the whole picture is playful, effortless and slightly erotic. Typical for such a French landscape including this work is the use of chalk as the medium. Here, black chalk with white highlights and a touch of red are masterfully balanced to keep the piece visually subtle, much like the figural interaction.

Keywords:

• French
• drawing
• figure
• nature
• charcoal

Portfolio List
This object is a member of the following portfolios (click any portfolio name to view all objects in that portfolio):

• Masterworks: Drawing

Keywords:

• Artist:European:French
• Class:Fine Arts:drawing
• Class:Fine Arts:drawing:charcoal
• Subject:figure
• Subject:nature

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