Artwork
The Alarm
The Alarm is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Jean François de Troy. It dates from 1723 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Alarm is an oil painting by Jean-François de Troy, a French artist known for his scenes of high society.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a man engrossed in reading a letter, while his dog reacts to a servant's presence. The scene captures a moment of distraction and contrasts the calm atmosphere with the dog's sudden alertness.
Technique & Style
De Troy's work exemplifies the 'tableaux de mode' genre, which he is credited with inventing. The painting showcases his skill in capturing the nuances of everyday life in 18th-century French high society.
History & Provenance
De Troy was trained by his father and later at the Académie Royale de Peinture et Sculpture. He became Director of the Académie Française in Rome in 1738, a position he held until his death in 1752.
Artist & collection
