Artwork

The Divertissement from Voltaire's "La princesse de Navarre"

The Divertissement from Voltaire's "La princesse de Navarre", by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, chalk, 1745
The Divertissement from Voltaire's "La princesse de Navarre", by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, chalk, 1745

The Divertissement from Voltaire's "La princesse de Navarre" is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Gabriel de Saint-Aubin. It dates from 1745 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin's 'The Divertissement from Voltaire's La princesse de Navarre' is a red chalk drawing on laid paper, created in 1745.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a vibrant scene of 18th-century figures in an opulent room, engaged in various activities such as conversation and music-making, likely illustrating a moment from Voltaire's work.

Technique & Style

Executed in red chalk, the drawing features loose, rapid lines and shading that convey a sense of energy, with soft shadows and textures adding warmth and depth to the scene.

Context

This sketch reflects the artist's practice of quickly capturing ideas or planning larger compositions, a common use of red chalk drawings during this period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Gabriel de Saint-Aubin

Artist

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin was a French draftsman, printmaker, etcher and painter.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.