Jacques Sébastien Leclerc (1734 - 1785) - Diana's Rest

Jacques Sébastien Leclerc (1734-1785) came from a distinguished lineage of artists and is considered one of the most refined representatives of the French Rococo style in the 18th century. A student and collaborator of François Boucher, he inherited his taste for mythological subjects imbued with grace and lightness. His work is distinguished by the elegance of his line, a delicate attention to female figures, and a theatrical staging characteristic of the gallant style of his time. He taught at the Jardin du Roi (Royal Garden) and produced numerous drawings and paintings.

This painting, entitled "The Rest of Diana," illustrates a mythological scene from the cycle of the huntress goddess. In a clearing at the edge of a forest, Diana and her nymphs rest after the hunt. While some skin an animal brought back by the hounds, others relax, chat, or enjoy a moment of peace beneath the foliage. The presence of Actaeon, suspended in a tree in the background, foreshadows the impending tragedy: the reckless hunter, caught in the goddess's bath, will soon be transformed into a stag and devoured by his own hounds. Leclerc offers a gentle and intimate vision of mythology: the graceful poses of the nymphs, the fresh and delicately nuanced palette, and the atmospheric depth of the landscape all contribute to an atmosphere of pastoral harmony and courtly love, emblematic of his art.

The rich composition, punctuated by multiple groups of figures, reveals the painter's narrative skill and his talent for imbuing mythological scenes with elegant vitality.
This work is monogrammed and dated at the bottom center. A collector's stamp is present on the back of the work.