Description
The painting "The Progress of Love: The Lover Crowned" by Jean-Honoré Fragonard is a masterpiece of French Rococo. With an original size of 318 cm x 243 cm, this painting is one of the largest and most complex in the "The Progress of Love" series, which consists of four paintings.
The composition of the painting is impressive, with a large number of figures and details that intertwine in a scene of love and celebration. In the center of the painting, the lover is crowned by his beloved, surrounded by a multitude of characters celebrating their union. The scene is full of movement and action, with figures moving and dancing around the couple.
Color is another prominent aspect of the painting, with a bright and vibrant palette reflecting the happy and festive spirit of the scene. Pastel shades and bright colors are combined in a perfect blend, creating a feeling of light and movement in the painting.
The history of the painting is also fascinating. It was commissioned by the Comte de Béarn in 1771 and completed in 1773. The painting was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1773 and was highly acclaimed for its beauty and complexity.
One of the lesser known aspects of the painting is its symbolic meaning. The scene represents the triumph of true love over adversity and opposition. The crowned lover symbolizes the victory of love, while the multitude of characters that surround him represent the forces that try to prevent their union.
In short, "The Progress of Love: The Lover Crowned" is a masterpiece of French Rococo that stands out for its composition, color, and symbolic meaning. It is a painting that continues to fascinate viewers to this day and represents one of the highlights of Jean-Honoré Fragonard's career.