François Boucher (1703-1770) studied with Lemoyne and during that time painted scenery for the Opera, a work to which he returned in the height of his career (1737-44). In 1734 he became Academician. In 1735 he was appointed head of the Gobelins by Marigny. In 1765 he was made first painter to the king and Director of the Academy. In the years between 1740 and 1755 he painted many cartoons for the Beauvais tapestry works. Among his most famous tapestry suites are the Loves of the Gods, the Chinese Hangings, and the Italian Fêtes.
68 GOBELINS, XVIII CENTURY (1767)
Wool and Silk.
H. 4 ft. 11 in.
W. 6 ft. 6 in.
Illustrated: Fénaille, L'Etat général des Tapisseries de la Manufacture des Gobelins, Dix-huitième Siècle, 2me Partie, p. 238.
Lent by Duveen Brothers.
THE FORTUNE-TELLER: Two peasant girls seated on the ground by a fountain are having their fortune told by another girl. A naked baby clings to her skirts. From one side a goat looks on inquisitively. It is signed F. Boucher and dated.
This is one of a series of cartoons in small size made by Boucher for the Gobelins while he was director. They were very popular and have been woven a number of times.
The piece shows how remarkably the delicate gradations of tone, on which Boucher's essential quality depended, could be translated into the weave by the extraordinarily skillful craftsmen of the Gobelins.
As in all of Boucher's cartoons, the subject is only an occasion for his own charming decorative mannerisms. As a rendition of peasant life, it is interesting to contrast this cartoon with the honest literalness of Teniers (cf. Nos. 47-49).
69 AUBUSSON, LATE XVIII CENTURY
Wool and Silk.
H. 9 ft. 10 in.
W. 7 ft. 5 in.
Lent by P. W. French & Company.
BAIGNEUSE: A bather attended by amorini is about to step into a woodland stream. In an oval frame surrounded by an encadrement of garlands upheld by amorini and satin drapes in the manner of Huet, on a gray ground.