Antoine Watteau
c. 1727
This dashing engraving captures the French painter Antoine Watteau, looking rather fashionable in a heavy, fur-lined coat and a magnificent cascade of curly hair. He holds his tools of the trade—a palette and a fine brush—gazing off with a dreamy expression that hints at the poetic nature of his famous 'fêtes galantes' paintings. Created by François Boucher around 1727, this piece serves as a touching tribute to Watteau, who had died young from tuberculosis a few years prior. The French poem at the bottom praises Watteau's natural genius, claiming no other hand could paint nature quite so beautifully—a lovely compliment from one Rococo master to the pioneer of the style.
- Technique
- Engraving