Fragonard, Jean-Honoré
Fragonard, Jean-Honoré (1732-1806). French painter
whose scenes of frivolity and gallantry are among the most complete embodiments
of the Rococo spirit. He was a pupil of Chardin for a short while and also of
Boucher, before winning the Prix de Rome in 1752. From 1756 to 1761 he was in
Italy, where he eschewed the work of the approved masters of the High
Renaissance, but formed a particular admiration for Tiepolo.
He
travelled and drew landscapes with Hubert Robert and responded with especial
sensitivity to the gardens of the Villa d'Este at Tivoli, memories of which
occur in paintings throughout his career. In 1765 he became a member of the
Academy with his historical picture in the Grand Manner Coroesus
Sacrificing himself to Save Callirhoe (Louvre, Paris). He soon abandoned
this style, however, for the erotic canvases by which he is chiefly known (The
Swing, Wallace Collection, London, c. 1766). After his marriage in 1769
he also painted children and family scenes. He stopped exhibiting at the Salon
in 1767 and almost all his work was done for private patrons. Among them was
Mme du Barry, Louis XV's most beautiful mistress, for whom he painted the works
that are often regarded as his masterpieces -- the four canvases representing The
Progress of Love (Frick Collection, New York, 1771-73). These, however,
were returned by Mme du Barry and it seems that taste was already turning
against Fragonard's lighthearted style. He tried unsuccessfully to adapt
himself to the new Neoclassical vogue, but in spite of the admiration and support
of David he was ruined by the Revolution and died in poverty.
Fragonard
was a prolific painter, but he rarely dated his works and it is not easy to
chart his stylistic develop;ent. Alongside those of Boucher, his paintings seem
to sum up an era. His delicate coloring, witty characterization, and
spontaneous brushwork ensured that even his most erotic subjects are never
vulgar, and his finest work has an irresistible verve and joyfulness.
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