Artwork
Fountain of Venus
Fountain of Venus is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist François Boucher. It dates from 1756 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1979.55
- Credit line
- The Thomas L. Fawick Memorial Collection
About this work
Overview
Fountain of Venus is a painting by François Boucher, created in the 1700s for an uncertain purpose. It depicts a lively scene centered around a fountain.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a woman atop a fountain, surrounded by playful putti, with water spilling below. Some figures are rendered in gray, resembling stone, while others appear as living beings, blurring the line between sculpture and reality.
Technique & Style
Boucher employed a mix of techniques, painting some elements to mimic stone carvings, while others are depicted with flesh tones, creating a playful interplay between the represented materials.
History & Provenance
The original function of the painting is unclear; it may have been an independent artwork or a design for a tapestry.
Artist & collection
Artist
François Boucher was a French painter, draughtsman and etcher, who worked in the Rococo style.
