Artwork
The Servant Justified
The Servant Justified is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Nicolas Lancret. It dates from 1740 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The painting is classified as a painting and measures 11 by 14 centimeters, a modest format suited to the smooth, enamel-like finish that copper allows.
The Servant Justified is executed in oil paint on a copper support, a technique characteristic of small-scale cabinet pictures. The painting is classified as a painting and measures 11 by 14 centimeters, a modest format suited to the smooth, enamel-like finish that copper allows. The use of copper as a support provides a rigid, non-absorbent ground that permits fine detail and a luminous surface treatment, qualities often associated with the Rococo style in which Lancret worked.
The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and its provenance traces through several owners including Rodolphe Kann, Alfred Lowenstein, Matthiesen Gallery, Jorge Ortiz Linares, Graziella Patiño, and George Ortiz.
History & Provenance
The work was commissioned and painted by Nicolas Lancret in 1740 on copper support, as recorded in the artist’s dated execution.
The painting entered the market in the early twentieth century, appearing in the collection of Rodolphe Kann by 1907. It later passed to Alfred Lowenstein, whose holdings were subsequently dispersed. By mid-century the work was with Matthiesen Gallery in London, where it was offered on the art market.
In private hands it was owned by Jorge Ortiz Linares before entering the collection of Graziella Patiño. It was later acquired by George Ortiz, in whose possession it remained.
The Servant Justified, painted by Nicolas Lancret in 1740 on copper, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its documented provenance traces through several private owners, beginning with Rodolphe Kann, followed by Alfred Lowenstein, the Matthiesen Gallery, Jorge Ortiz Linares, Graziella Patiño, and George Ortiz, before entering the museum's holdings. The painting measures 11 by 14 cm.
No specific accession number or details of an exhibition history are recorded in the available sources.
Overview
Nicolas Lancret's The Servant Justified, painted in 1740, exemplifies the Rococo movement's focus on elegant social scenes. This oil on copper work depicts an intimate interaction between a man and a woman within a garden setting. Lancret, a French artist, was recognized for his portrayals of lighthearted social dynamics and the refined manners prevalent during the Regency and early reign of Louis XV. The painting is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a man in a rich brown coat leaning towards a seated woman, who wears a white dress with a blue sash. She holds a piece of paper, at which the man points, suggesting a moment of explanation, accusation, or perhaps justification. This interaction unfolds in a lush garden, featuring trees, a classical statue, and a small table. The scene captures a specific social exchange, characteristic of Lancret's interest in human relationships and everyday dramas.
Context
Nicolas Lancret was a prominent French painter active during a period of shifting artistic tastes, moving from the grandeur of the Baroque to the more intimate and decorative Rococo style. His work frequently depicted fêtes galantes and scenes of everyday life among the French aristocracy, offering a window into the social customs and lighthearted amusements of the era. The Servant Justified reflects this interest in capturing the nuances of human interaction within fashionable settings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas Lancret (French pronunciation:; 22 January 1690 – 14 September 1743) was a French painter.
