François Boucher (1703-1770), Circle Of - The Leaping Shepherdess

Oil on canvas. Mounted on wood panel, late 19th century. Rococo, with its frivolous and superficial approach to trivial matters, revolutionized the foundations of European art during the second third of the 18th century. For the first time, artists abandoned the grand deeds, myths, and heroes of the flamboyant Baroque to explore love, desire, and simple pleasures with unprecedented creative freedom. In this charming scene, painted by a contemporary of the master François Boucher, prince of Rococo painters and exceptional protégé of Madame de Pompadour, a shepherdess swings in the air, suspended from a juniper branch, under the astonished gaze of her companion and a few cherubs who cast a mocking glance at the viewer. The key stylistic features of the period—namely, the integration of an unmistakably Dutch-inspired landscape, the presence of socially disadvantaged yet endearing characters, and the direct depiction of even the most basic human emotions—combine to produce an image of great beauty. Dimensions of the image without frame: 74 x 74 cm / 93 x 93 cm with a magnificent antique frame. This painting likely originated from a wood-paneled wall decoration, composed of decorated panels, paintings, and mirrors.