Artwork
The Watering Party (L'eau)
The Watering Party (L'eau) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Nicolas Lancret. It dates from 1716 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
Nicolas Lancret, a Paris‑born painter of the early 18th century, completed *The Watering Party (L’eau)* in 1716. Executed in oil on canvas, the work exemplifies the Rococo taste for light, convivial scenes that celebrated the leisurely pursuits of the French elite during the Regency of the Duke of Orléans and the early years of Louis XV’s reign.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays a relaxed outdoor gathering beside a water source. A man holds a fishing net while a companion kneels nearby; a woman in a yellow skirt sits on the ground, and a gentleman in a red coat stands behind her. The setting, framed by trees, a distant building, and birds in flight, conveys the refined yet informal social rituals of aristocratic leisure.
Technique & Style
Lancret employs warm, earthy hues to model the figures and landscape, emphasizing the subtle play of sunlight and shade. His brushwork is loose and expressive, lending a spontaneous vitality to the scene. The handling of light, combined with the fluid rendering of fabric and foliage, reflects the Rococo emphasis on elegance and movement.
History & Provenance
Created in 1716, the painting emerged at a time when Lancret was gaining recognition for his depictions of fashionable gatherings. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has been associated with collections that focus on early Rococo art, illustrating the period’s shift toward depictions of pleasure and sociability in French painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas Lancret (French pronunciation: ; 22 January 1690 – 14 September 1743) was a French painter.
Sat olandez cu râu
Landscape with Peasants Regaling Themselves in a Wood
Cottages and Fishermen by a River
Lake Scene with a Fishing Party
Refreshment during the ride
Bird-Nesting (decorative painting for a supper-box at Vauxhall Gardens, London)
The Approach
Bird-Catching by a Decoy with a Whistle and a Net (decorative painting for a supper-box at Vauxhall Gardens, London)
Italian Landscape with Shepherds (in front of a Grotto)
Classical Landscape with a Lake
Figures Resting in a Military Encampment
Peisaj cu personaje și animale