Artwork
Je suis vengé de toi: l'on te hait, et l'on m'aime

Je suis vengé de toi: l'on te hait, et l'on m'aime is a graphite drawing by the Baroque artist Hubert François Gravelot. It dates from 1736 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1736 drawing, 'Je suis vengé de toi: l'on te hait, et l'on m'aime', is a work on laid paper by Hubert-François Gravelot, executed in red chalk and graphite.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a group of six figures in an indoor setting with ornate columns and a distant outdoor view. A central female figure holding an infant is surrounded by gesturing onlookers, their expressive poses and faces the primary focus.
Technique & Style
Gravelot employed loose, rapid lines to convey emotion and movement, characteristic of a sketching style associated with the Baroque period. The use of red chalk adds to the expressive quality of the figures and their interactions.
History & Provenance
Gravelot, a French engraver and illustrator, created this work while in London, where he had moved in 1732. He played a significant role in introducing the Rococo style to British design through his illustrations and engravings.
Context
The drawing reflects Gravelot's engagement with the Rococo movement, evident in its decorative and expressive qualities. The Rococo style, which emerged as a response to the Baroque, is characterized by its use of light, playful, and intimate themes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hubert-François Bourguignon, commonly known as Gravelot (26 March 1699 – 20 April 1773), was a French engraver, a famous book illustrator, designer and drawing-master.
















