Description
François Boucher's painting The Rising of the Sun is a French Rococo masterpiece that has fascinated art lovers for centuries. With an original size of 318 x 261 cm, this work is impressive in both its scale and its beauty.
The composition of the painting is a sample of the Rococo artistic style, characterized by its elegance and delicacy. The scene shows a naked, winged woman, who represents the dawn, emerging from the clouds as the sun rises on the horizon. The female figure is portrayed with a grace and softness that are typical of the Rococo, and her posture is almost ethereal.
Color is another prominent aspect of the painting. The light and soft pastel tones used in the work are typical of Rococo, and create a feeling of lightness and joy. Gold and silver details on the clouds and on the female figure add a touch of glitz and glam to the work.
The history of the painting is also fascinating. It was commissioned by King Louis XV of France to decorate the library of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour. The work was one of the largest and most expensive Boucher made in his career, and it became one of the most admired pieces in the royal collection.
Despite its popularity, there are some little-known aspects of the painting that make it even more interesting. For example, the female figure is believed to have been modeled by the Marquise de Pompadour herself, adding a touch of intimacy and romance to the work. Also, the painting was restored in the 19th century, and it was discovered that it originally had a second female figure that had been removed at some point.
In short, The Rising of the Sun is a stunning work of art that showcases the best of the French Rococo style. Its elegant composition, its soft and luminous colouring, and its fascinating history make it a unique and valuable piece of art history.