The Death of the Virgin

1750s

François Boucher

Associated Names
François Boucher

Artist, French, 1703 - 1770

The artwork shows a group of individuals depicted from a side view, with most of them seated or crouched on the ground. Their full bodies are visible, and they are gathered closely around a central focal point that appears to be covered or wrapped in cloth. The figures have indistinct, sketched facial features and varying hairstyles. The clothing consists of long, flowing robes or tunics, with little detail other than the suggestion of folds and drapery. The scene is set against a softly defined background, with swirling lines and shades that imply smoke or cloud-like forms. The overall composition is drawn in a style reminiscent of an old, sketched study or draft, with dynamic lines and shading giving it an atmospheric quality.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink and brown wash over red chalk on cream laid paper, laid down

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Gertrude Laughlin Chanler

  • Dimensions

    overall: 11 x 14.4 cm (4 5/16 x 5 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2000.9.1


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The Hon. Irwin Boyle Laughlin, Washington, D.C.; his wife, Therese Iselin Laughlin, Washington, D.C., 1941; their daughter, Gertrude Laughlin Chanler, New York, 1958; gift to NGA, 2000.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1982

  • Eighteenth Century Drawings from the Collection of Mrs. Gertrude Laughlin Chanler, NGA, Washington, D.C., 1982, no. 4.

2000

  • Drawings and Prints from the Permanent Collection (Summer 2000), National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2000 (no catalogue).

2012

  • The Baroque Genius of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C., 2012

Bibliography

1984

  • Michel, Marianne Roland. Watteau: Un artiste au XVIIIe siècle. Paris, 1984: 117, 137.

Markings

below the drawing at lower right: blindstamp of the mountmaker Glomy (Lugt 1119)

Wikidata ID

Q64569759

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