FRAGONARD, Jean-Honoré (b. 1732, Grasse, d. 1806, Paris) |
The Swing1767Oil on canvas, 81 x 64 cm Wallace Collection, London | ||
The painting was originally commissioned from a serious history painter by an unknown French nobleman (he was not the Baron the St Julien as has been assumed in the past): 'I desire', he said, 'that you should paint Madame (pointing to his mistress) on a swing which is being set in motion by a Bishop. You must place me where I can have a good view of the legs of this pretty little thing....'. The serious history painter could think of nothing else to say except to recommend M. Fragonard as a more suitable executant. You can view other representations of the motif "The Swing."
|