Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
François Boucher (Paris, 1703–1770) Circle of
The Birth of Venus
Oil on canvas 76 x 165 cm. Framed: 88 x 177 cm.
We present a splendid painting by a French artist from the circle of François Boucher (Paris, 1703–1770), depicting the Birth of Venus, a typical subject of the Rococo repertoire—the most graceful and elegant of styles, capable of capturing in painting the distinctive characteristics of the 18th-century French aristocracy, which viewed mythological and idyllic subjects as the most prestigious and representative form of expression.
The painting is based on a composition created in 1754 by François Boucher, titled “The Birth of Venus,” the original of which is housed at the Wallace Collection in London.
On the right is Venus, the goddess of love, reclining in a languid and sensual pose atop a bed of soft sea foam, alluding to Hesiod’s account that the goddess was born from the sea foam, emerging in all her splendor.
This iconographic theme, known as Aphrodite Anadiomene (meaning “emerging from the waters”), fully embodies the beauty ideals popularized by the French Rococo style, with the fair-skinned goddess highlighting her soft curves and her finely arranged blonde hair.
To give a face to our goddess of beauty, Boucher drew on the features of his patron, Madame de Pompadour, who, in addition to being King Louis XV’s most famous mistress, was also the most powerful French woman of the 18th century—the perfect embodiment of the 18th-century ideal of a beautiful, cultured, and fashionable woman.
At her side are two Cupids: one holding a lit torch (a symbol of romantic passion) and another holding a dove (her symbol par excellence).
On the left, the head of a fantastical sea creature emerges from the waters—a typical element of scenes related to the birth of Venus that deliberately contrasts with the delicacy of the divine figures.
The entire scene is immersed in an ethereal and idyllic atmosphere, emphasized by the graceful poses of the figures, rendered in light and luminous colors—predominantly in a pastel palette—which highlight the beautiful interplay of light and shadow.
François Boucher and his workshop devoted much of their work to this type of subject matter—a symbol of the frivolous pleasures of life to which the aristocracy aspired—aided by the master’s great fame and the abundant requests from collectors.
Our work, which can be chronologically dated to the second half of the 18th century, can be attributed to a student or studio assistant of the French painter.
Delevery information :
We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
We take great care We personally take care of the packaging, to which we devote a great deal of care: each work is carefully packed, first with arti- cle material, then with a custom-made wooden box.
Should you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we would be happy to welcome you to our gallery in Riva del Garda, Viale Giuseppe Canella 18, we are always open by appointment only.
