Marie Antoinette's

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How to frame a Boucher! "The Interrupted Sleep" 1750, oil on canvas

A post shared by Lauren (@mariegossip) on Oct 11, 2012 at 11:01am PDT

Boucher's The Interrupted Sleep caught my eye while passing through the museum...

"Antoine Watteau's art would be unthinkable without the culture of the Parisian musical theater from which it sprang."

Have you ever been to a lecture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art?  If not, here is a 'chance'!

I have posted below the lecture given by Professor Georgia Cowart, on Watteau in reference to the recent exhibition Watteau, Music and Theater.  If you have 50 minutes to spare it is well worth it.  I know it sounds like a long time, but it will pass quickly!

She briefly covers his early background, when he lived with Crozat (a major patron of arts), as well as the works he was producing at that time.  Watteau was often in the company of musicians and he was no stranger to the opera!  She really makes it easy to imagine Watteau's Paris, particularity the changing realm of opera and it's influence on society.  Her slide show of works in the exhibition highlight all the little details and ways Watteau found himself influenced by both the theater and, of course, music!

The Metropolitan Museum is currently showing the exhibition: Watteau, Music and Theater. The curators explain the time period, the reign of Louis quinze, was a period of "lush artistry," and the works selected show just that and more.

If you are familiar with the museum you will find the show immediately to your right when you enter the European Paintings Galleries.  Along blue walls you will find wonderfully entertaining examples of entertainments!  Theater characters get dramatic on stages both indoor and outdoor, while crowds look on eagerly - and with satisfaction - while private concerts invite you into 18th century homes. 

And that is what I love.
Watteau began his career working with a theater painter, Claude Gillot (1673-1722). Gillot drew many scenes from the Comedie Italian and his La Scène des deux carrosse is in the exhibition.  The drama is intense, both in emotion and absurdity.  The expressions on the characters' faces, their exaggerated poses, drawn out with hasty lines, give the impression  that the drawing could have been done right on the scene (or in the theater).

It is important that we can see the type of work Watteau was surrounded by and taught when he was developing as an artist.  You may recognize his images of Pierrot, a sad figure but always elegantly done, and he appears at least three times throughout the exhibition.  I found him particularly intersesting in the Foursome - just what are you showing those ladies sir? Other notable characters are Harlequin and Crispin.

Although I was prepared for many Watteau's (and was very satisfied with the result) I found myself particularly pleased with the Lancret's that were on display.  His Concert at the Oval Salon of Pierre Crozat is beautiful up close, from the expressions on the faces to the tiles in the floor. The stage is set!

Other notable pieces of his are Crozat's Chateau at Montmorency and Concert in Paris Home of Pierre Crozat both done in 1720.  If you could guess, Crozat was very much into art and collecting (not to mention of some fortune.)  Crozat's great-niece was Louise-Honorine Crozat, and Watteau actually stayed with the family under his patronage for a bit.

The exhibition has a mix of paintings, prints and even some porcelains.  Some popular pieces include Watteau's The Island of Cythera and his Mezzetin.   It has everything you might want in an afternoon, masquerades, opera, comedy and private concerts with rosy-cheeked boys. 

The show was so well done and I insist you go if you are in the area.  It is on view until November 29, but if you can't make it you can purchase the exhibition catalog here and you can view selected works from the show here!

Side Note: I also had fun posting updates on twitter, you can follow me, MarieGossip and MetMuseum.  If you have been to the show, or plan to go let me know how you found it! I would love to hear your thoughts!

In the darker hallways of the Metropolitan Museum you might find some surprises.  Once you enter the lovely French rooms found in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts section you might just stumble on a few gems or two.

One hallway in particular, you could walk through and almost not notice the 18th century shopfront you walk by. Displaying fancy silver and gilt table-wears in large front windows, with ruched, heavy draping falling from behind, and lit merely by candle glow is a spectacular shop front.  The shop was the Courone d'or (Crown of Gold) and was located on the Quai Bourbon.  I wish my sad little phone could have taken an image but it was so dark nothing came out!

In my mini sweep through the museum (I do not encourage mini-sweeps through the museum) I recall reading that the old wooden shop front had been built over by more modern stone shop front. (This image of the shop is also displayed) There is a bit of info at the Met, but I have yet to find much more. Any tips are appreciated.  I stayed until the guard shooed me away.   :o)

I also wonder what the 2 doors were used for! (aside from front door of course!) If you happen into the met and have not already discovered it, check it out. They also have authentic 18th century hardware from a large shop sign. It looks much like that of the shop Madame du Barry once worked at. I will look for an image!

Been called to town on business, hope everyone has a lovely weekend.  Here are some visual updates of my own: