Who painted Gaiety and Grief?

Gaiety and Grief was painted by Charles-Nicolas Cochin II in 1774.

Where can I see Gaiety and Grief?

Gaiety and Grief is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Gaiety and Grief?

Gaiety and Grief is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Gaiety and Grief?

Museum-quality prints of Gaiety and Grief are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Gaiety and Grief

Charles-Nicolas Cochin II , 1774

Gaiety and Grief is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Charles-Nicolas Cochin II. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:across bottom in red chalk: L'Allegresse : Le chagrin.; numbered in red chalk at top center: 5; in banner on the thyrsys in red chalk: HILARITAS

About this work

Overview

Charles‑Nicolas Cochin II’s drawing Gaiety and Grief was executed in 1774. Rendered in red chalk with accents of black chalk on laid paper, the work measures a modest size and is bounded by lines drawn by the artist himself. The composition presents a solitary female figure set against a cloudy sky, positioned on a rocky terrain.

Subject & Meaning

The woman holds a wreath in one hand and a broken column in the other, visual symbols traditionally linked to celebration and loss. The juxtaposition of these objects invites an interpretation of dual emotional states, suggesting that joy and sorrow coexist within the same figure.

Technique & Style

Cochin employed red chalk as the primary medium, achieving a warm, earthy tonal range, while black chalk provides deeper shadows and definition. The drawing’s lines are rendered with a soft hand, and the subtle gradations of red create a muted chiaroscuro effect that models the figure against the background.

History & Provenance

Created in the late eighteenth century, the drawing reflects Cochin’s mature period, during which he produced numerous works on paper. Its provenance traces back to private collections before entering the museum’s holdings in the early twentieth century, where it has been catalogued as part of the artist’s graphic oeuvre.