Jean Honore Fragonard Painting.
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Jean Honore Fragonard Paintings,
Unlike many artists, Jean-Honore Fragonard was both
recognized and appreciated in his own time. However, the tide
of his fortune turned leaving him forgotten in the wake of
revolution. Born in the tiny town of Grasse, Fragonard along
with his family moved to Paris in the year 1738, at the age of
six. While still only in his teens he painted underneath Jean
Baptiste-Simeon Chardin, yet he served as apprentice for only
six months; after which he worked in the studio of Francois
Boucher. With his immense talent and ability to master his
studies quickly, Fragonard did not go unnoticed. In fact, in
1752 he was awarded the Prix de Rome. This award was until
1968 the highest honor paid by The Academie Royale in Paris,
it recognized excellence in sculpture, architecture and
painting. Furthermore, the recipient of the award would travel
to Rome in order to study at the Academie of France. Yet,
Jean-Honore Fragonard spent three years studying and preparing
under Carle van Loo, before he left for the Academie in 1756.
During his five years in Rome Fragonard befriended Hubert
Robert, with whom he traveled through southern Italy and drew
landscapes.
Again, the Academie honored Fragonard in the year 1765, this
time it was his submission to the Salon that earned him an
associate academy membership. Yet, he chose not to accept the
offer; instead of launching a career of history painting, he
chose to paint what he enjoyed. The cultivation of his own
lighthearted, erotic style would gain him many personal clients
but only one more exhibition at the Salon. The sensual Diana at
Rest, and The Swing both show the playful yet masterful talent
of Jean-Honore Fragonard. His vibrant and cheerful paintings
revived the rococo style, which had been more prominent in the
early 1700’s and which focused primarily on soft colors,
asymmetry, joviality and motifs that were naturalistic.
Fragonard used his unique style to depict a wide range of
subjects from landscapes to portraiture and even mythology, all
the while drawing constantly in mediums that did not include
solely paints.
At this time, the France was caught up in the winds of
change, and The French Revolution took the country by storm.
When the revolution finally ended, Jean-Honore Fragonard was
penniless and had been forgotten. With his career in a shambles
Fragonard tried to adapt his style to one more in keeping with
Napoleon’s France, yet was unable to do so. Fortunately, a
fellow painter, Jacques-Louis David, who greatly admired the
work of Fragonard, was able to have him appointed curator of the
Musee du Louvre. Through this kind assistance Fragonard, was
able to pass the rest of his day with the assurance of a living;
yet never again would he attain the heights of his former
successes. Jean-Honore Fragonard died in 1806, his talents
forgotten by revolutionary France.
Charlsie Medellin, 2004.
