To mark the birthday of Jean-Honoré Fragonard, I thought we could take a look back at some fun posts about the famous artist who worked throughout the eighteenth century.
Showing posts with label Mythological. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mythological. Show all posts
Joyeux anniversaire to Jean-Honoré Fragonard!
To mark the birthday of Jean-Honoré Fragonard, I thought we could take a look back at some fun posts about the famous artist who worked throughout the eighteenth century.
Fragonard's Fantastic Figures
Fragonard, The Goddess Minerva. c. 1772. The Detroit Institute of Arts.
Here I shall supply the art, and YOU supply the stories!
Today I wanted to share the mythological and fictional figures that Fragonard painted. I am not going to give the background story to the figures here, but you can leave the story in the comment section. Let me know what you think of his treatment of the figures!
Fragonard, Procris and Cephalos. Musée des beaux-arts.
The 17th and 18th century saw a rise in the popularity of painting mythological and popular figures. They could be read into and represent the fate of man or even man himself. Louis XIV was known to liken himself with Apollo, hence the sun king was as grand as the sun god.
Fragonard, Psyche Showing her Sisters her Gifts from Cupid. 1753. National Gallery, London.
Artists also had no problem depicting these figures in a most sensual and idyllic way. The result is a pleasing combination of fantastic story and soft alluring imagery.
Fragonard, Grand Priest Coresus Sacrifices Himself to save Callirhoe. c. 1765. Louvre.
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