Death of Meleager
circa 1727
François Boucher created this dramatic scene around 1727 as his entry for the prestigious Prix de Rome competition. It captures the tragic final moments of the Greek hero Meleager, surrounded by grieving companions, while a woman in flowing white drapery—likely his mother or lover—looks on in distress. Although Boucher is best known for his playful, pastel-heavy Rococo style, this early work reveals a mastery of dark, emotional storytelling, complete with loyal hunting dogs mourning in the foreground. It’s a surprisingly moody masterpiece from an artist who would later become the ultimate painter of French frivolity!
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