Who painted Lady Seated on a See-Saw?

Lady Seated on a See-Saw was painted by Nicolas Lancret in 1716.

Where can I see Lady Seated on a See-Saw?

Lady Seated on a See-Saw is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Lady Seated on a See-Saw?

Lady Seated on a See-Saw is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Lady Seated on a See-Saw

Nicolas Lancret , 1716

Lady Seated on a See-Saw is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Nicolas Lancret. It dates from 1716 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1716, *Lady Seated on a See‑Saw* is a red‑chalk drawing on laid paper by the French artist Nicolas Lancret. The composition captures a solitary woman perched sideways on a playground see‑saw, her legs dangling and her hair gathered, set against an almost empty background that emphasizes the line work.

Subject & Meaning

The figure embodies a moment of leisurely amusement, reflecting the light‑hearted social activities favoured by the French aristocracy in the early eighteenth century. By portraying a single, elegantly dressed lady in a playful pose, Lancret hints at the era’s fascination with refined recreation and the genteel display of leisure.

Technique & Style

Lancret employs swift, gestural strokes of red chalk to render the drapery and sense of motion, allowing the fabric’s folds to suggest rather than delineate. The drawing’s spontaneous handling aligns with Baroque drawing practices, where immediacy and the artist’s hand were valued over meticulous finish.

History & Provenance

The work originates from Lancret’s early career, a period when he was establishing his reputation for genre scenes that combined elegance with humor. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the drawing has been documented in catalogues of Lancret’s oeuvre and is recognized as a representative example of his draftsmanship.

Context

Lancret’s output coincided with the Regency and the early reign of Louis XV, a time when French society celebrated courtly entertainment and fashionable pastimes. This drawing mirrors the broader cultural climate that prized scenes of everyday aristocratic life, situating the artist within the prevailing taste for genteel genre subjects.