WATTEAU, Jean-Antoine
(b. 1684, Valenciennes, d. 1721, Nogent-sur-Marne)

A Seated Woman

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Drawing
The Morgan Library and Museum, New York

In this drawing Watteau studies with sensuous attention a woman's body, very much 'from the life', a few delicate touches of sanguine crayon conveying the flesh and blood of ear, hands, and foot, while strokes of white chalk suggest the sheen of the skin. In this superb drawing the body is fondly delineated as at once wrapped and yet revealed by the creased, almost rustling draperies, caught up to expose a calf and slipping down to give glimpses of a breast.