Artwork
Figure Studies including Standing Boy Holding a Pitcher
Figure Studies including Standing Boy Holding a Pitcher is an ink print by the Baroque artist François Boucher. It dates from 1735 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Figure Studies including Standing Boy Holding a Pitcher is an etching on laid paper created by François Boucher in 1735. The work showcases the artist's skill in figure drawing and printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a casual group of four figures, including a seated woman, a man leaning on a cane, a standing boy holding a pitcher, and a partially obscured figure in the background. The scene appears to be a representation of everyday life.
Technique & Style
The artist employed rapid, sketchy lines to convey movement and the folds of clothing, characteristic of Boucher's Rococo style. The loose, informal quality of the etching reflects his engagement with figure drawing and printmaking within a decorative tradition.
Context
Boucher was a prominent decorative artist of the 18th century, known for his idyllic and voluptuous paintings on classical themes and pastoral scenes. This etching is part of his broader output, demonstrating his exploration of figure drawing and printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
François Boucher was a French painter, draughtsman and etcher, who worked in the Rococo style.
