Les Graces (The Graces)

1766

François-Philippe Charpentier, after François Boucher, published by Pierre-François Basan

Associated Names
François-Philippe Charpentier

Artist, French, 1734 - 1817

Pierre-François Basan

Publisher, French, 1723 - 1797

François Boucher

Artist After, French, 1703 - 1770

The image shows three central full-body figures leaning and intertwined closely. Their hair is styled in updos with curls and waves framing their faces and necks. The artwork is monochrome, using shades of brown for shadows. Surrounding them are small winged cherubs or putti. The putti have round faces and chubby bodies, some interacting with the main figures. The central figures are not clothed and have no jewelry. The background has a swirling cloud-like texture, enhancing the ethereal and mythological theme.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and aquatint printed in brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 30.6 × 21.7 cm (12 1/16 × 8 9/16 in.)
    sheet: 42.9 × 29.1 cm (16 7/8 × 11 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.91.18

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    IFF (1700): no. 35

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(James A. Bergquist, Newton Centre, MA); purchased 2018 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1835

  • Nagler, G.K. Neues allgemeines Kunstler-Lexikon, oder Nachrichten von dem Leben und den Werken der Maler, Bildhauer, Baumeister, Kupferstecher, Formschneider, Lithographen, Zeichner, Medailleure, Elfenbeinarbeiter, etc.. 22 vols. Munich: E.A. Fleischmann, undesc.

1854

  • Le Blanc, Charles. _Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes, contenant le dictionnaire des graveurs de toutes les nations, dans lequel sont decrites les estampes rares, precieuses et interessantes avec l'indication de leurs differents etats et des prix auxquels: no. 3

1930

  • IFF (1700): no. 35

Inscriptions

In plate, in image, at lower left: Franciscus Boucher Primus Pictor Regius invenit; in plate, in image, at lower right: Franciscus Philippus Charpentier Bleseas sculpsit; in plate, below image at center: LES GRACES / A Paris chez Basan

Watermarks

AUVERGNE

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