Bilder Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806) – Pastoral Studies with Villa and Shepherdess – Etching in Sanguine (Late 18th Century)

Beskrivning

This work features a charming compilation of pastoral motifs, typical of the Rococo "fête galante" and rural idylls. The upper portion depicts a stately Italianate villa or manor house set upon a gentle rise, flanked by slender Mediterranean pines and decorative garden gateposts. Below, a soft, sketch-like study shows a young shepherdess in profile, gazing toward a small group of livestock, including a goat and sheep resting near a fallen log and large acanthus-like leaves. The work is printed in a warm sanguine (red chalk) tone, mimicking the artist's original drawing style. This plate, identified as the "4e Feuille du 10e Cahier," was part of a larger series of instructional or decorative prints intended to capture the spontaneous and fluid line work for which Fragonard was celebrated.

Jean-Honoré Fragonard was one of the most prolific and versatile French painters and printmakers of the late Ancien Régime. A student of Boucher and Chardin, he became a master of the Rococo style, known for his fluid brushwork, delicate use of color, and themes of hedonism, romance, and pastoral life. During his travels in Italy as a winner of the Prix de Rome, Fragonard became deeply inspired by the landscapes and villas of the Roman countryside, which frequently appeared in his subsequent works. His ability to convey atmosphere and movement with rapid, gestural lines made his drawings and etchings highly sought after by collectors. Fragonard’s legacy represents the pinnacle of eighteenth-century French elegance, bridging the gap between classical tradition and the expressive freedom of the pre-Romantic era.

Artist or Maker: Jean-Honoré Fragonard.

Dimensions: Approximately 30 cm x 24 cm.

Medium: Etching in sanguine.

Date: Circa 1770–1785.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.