
Jean-Honore Fragonard (1732-1806) Boucher's student was a first rate colorists who decorative skill amost surpassed his master's. An example of this manner can stand as a characterist not only of him, but of the later Rococo in general.
The picture on the left is his later version of The Swing - 1768 and the other is also another print entitled... The Swing - 1765. As you can see there are differences. The Swing (left) a typical "intrigue" picture. A young gentleman has managed an arrangement by which an unsuspecting old bishop swings the young man's pretty sweetheart higher and higher, while her lover stretches out to admire her ardently from a strategic position on the ground. The young lady flirtatiously and boldly kicks off her shoe at the little statue of the god of discretion, who holds his finger to his lips. The landscape setting is out of Watteau-a luxuriant, perfumed bower in a park that very much resembles a stage scene for a comic opera. The glowing pastel colors and soft light convey, almost by themselves the sensuallity of the theme.
Key Characterist of Rococo:
1) rich people doing rich people things
2) fru-fru ness
3) richly dressed people
4) rich colors
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