A prolific Rococo painter and etcher, renowned for his delicate, whimsical, and often erotic works that capture the carefree spirit of 18th-century French aristocracy. His art often featured lush landscapes, gentle colors, and playful scenes of love and leisure.
Jean-Honoré Fragonard was a prolific French painter and printmaker who embodied the essence of the late Rococo style with his remarkable facility, exuberance, and hedonism. His extensive oeuvre, consisting of over 550 paintings, drawings, and etchings, continues to enchant art lovers with its atmosphere of intimacy and veiled eroticism.
Fragonard was born on April 5, 1732, in Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes, France, to Franois Fragonard, a glover, and Franoise Petit. Initially apprenticed to a Paris notary, Fragonard's artistic talent soon became apparent, and he was taken under the wing of Franois Boucher, one of the leading painters of the time. Fragonard's brief stint with Jean-Siméon Chardin further refined his skills, after which he returned to Boucher's atelier, where he rapidly absorbed his master's style.
In 1752, Fragonard won the prestigious Prix de Rome with his painting "Jeroboam Sacrificing to Idols," a recognition that paved the way for his academic and artistic career. Before departing for Rome, he continued to hone his skills under Charles-André van Loo, a prominent painter and art theorist. Fragonard's "Christ washing the Feet of the Apostles" (1755), now housed at Grasse Cathedral, showcases his growing mastery of composition and execution.
In 1756, Fragonard arrived at the French Academy in Rome, where he befriended fellow painter Hubert Robert. Their two-year sojourn in Italy was marked by an intense period of artistic growth, as they explored the country's picturesque landscapes, capturing their impressions in numerous sketches and drawings. These journeys not only deepened their understanding of light, color, and atmosphere but also forged a lifelong friendship between the two artists.
Fragonard's genre paintings, characterized by their intimate, sensual, and often whimsical nature, continue to captivate audiences. His use of rich colors, fluid brushstrokes, and masterful composition creates an atmosphere of refined sensuality, inviting the viewer to participate in the private lives of his subjects. Themes of love, music, and leisure are woven throughout his oeuvre, reflecting the decadence and opulence of the French aristocracy during the Ancien Régime.
As a leading figure in the Rococo style, Fragonard's influence extends beyond the boundaries of his own artistic circle. His innovative use of color and composition, as well as his exploration of intimate, everyday themes, paved the way for future generations of artists. Today, Fragonard's works are cherished for their beauty, sophistication, and insight into the social dynamics of 18th-century France, cementing his position as one of the most beloved and celebrated painters of the Rococo era.
Born in 1703
A prominent artist of the Rococo style, known for his delicate and ornate paintings, often depicting mythological and pastoral scenes, as well as designing sets for the Paris Opera.
Born in 1684
A French painter who created delicate, dreamy, and intimate scenes of everyday life, often blending reality and fantasy, and is considered a pioneer of the Rococo style.
Born in 1732
A prolific Rococo painter and etcher, renowned for his delicate, whimsical, and often erotic works that capture the carefree spirit of 18th-century French aristocracy. His art often featured lush landscapes, gentle colors, and playful scenes of love and leisure.
Born in 1725
A French painter and educator renowned for his sentimental and moralizing genre scenes, often depicting young women in domestic settings, which captivated 18th-century audiences.
Born in 1748
A French painter and illustrator who revolutionized Neoclassicism with his realistic and emotive works, creating iconic pieces like "Oath of the Horatii" and "Napoleon Crossing the Alps".
