The Cupboard
1778
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1778
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see a young couple caught in a wardrobe drama. The girl cries while her lover sticks out from an open cupboard. Angry parents loom. The room looks fancy but messy. Fragonard made this as an etching to entertain rich clients. The scene feels like a play with costumes and props that give it away. The boy’s hat has a wide ribbon—his girlfriend’s. His plain hat hangs inside the cupboard. Fragonard’s playful style feels close to his friend Boucher’s work.
