1758, François Boucher, Lovers in a Park -- Timken Museum of Art (San Diego)
From the museum label:
The foreground of this large painting depicts a couple and their faithful dog. The two young lovers are seated in a parklike setting, dressed in elaborate costumes suggesting their prosperity and carefree lifestyle. While the woman seems lost in her own thoughts, her companion takes flowers from her upturned hat and busies himself by weaving them into her hair. He appears distracted by the appearance of another attractive woman who emerges from the woods. What will happen next? Even the dog seems to be alert to a change in the atmosphere surrounding this group.
The pastel color scheme, richly-detailed foliage, and subtly erotic undercurrents epitomize François Boucher's expression of Rococo style. Boucher was the foremost painter of the mid-18th century, which is associated with the reign of King Louis XV. The artist received many royal commissions from the King's advisor, Madame de Pompadour. It is not known why, or for what setting, Boucher originally painted this work, but we presume Lovers in a Park was once part of an elaborate decorative ensemble, perhaps located within a French château. This particular work moved around, however. In the mid-19th century, it appeared in the inventory of a British country house, Mentmore Towers, about 50 miles Northwest of London. Mentmore was built as the country home of the Rothschild family, in 1854.
Lovers in a Park recently underwent a six-month-long public conservation treatment. As a result, the painting now appears brighter and closer to its original appearance than ever before in San Diego.
1758, François Boucher, Lovers in a Park -- Timken Museum of Art (San Diego)
From the museum label:
The foreground of this large painting depicts a couple and their faithful dog. The two young lovers are seated in a parklike setting, dressed in elaborate costumes suggesting their prosperity and carefree lifestyle. While the woman seems lost in her own thoughts, her companion takes flowers from her upturned hat and busies himself by weaving them into her hair. He appears distracted by the appearance of another attractive woman who emerges from the woods. What will happen next? Even the dog seems to be alert to a change in the atmosphere surrounding this group.
The pastel color scheme, richly-detailed foliage, and subtly erotic undercurrents epitomize François Boucher's expression of Rococo style. Boucher was the foremost painter of the mid-18th century, which is associated with the reign of King Louis XV. The artist received many royal commissions from the King's advisor, Madame de Pompadour. It is not known why, or for what setting, Boucher originally painted this work, but we presume Lovers in a Park was once part of an elaborate decorative ensemble, perhaps located within a French château. This particular work moved around, however. In the mid-19th century, it appeared in the inventory of a British country house, Mentmore Towers, about 50 miles Northwest of London. Mentmore was built as the country home of the Rothschild family, in 1854.
Lovers in a Park recently underwent a six-month-long public conservation treatment. As a result, the painting now appears brighter and closer to its original appearance than ever before in San Diego.