Jean Honore Fragonard (1732 - 1806)

Jean Honore Fragonard (1732 - 1806) - photo 1

Jean Honore Fragonard

Jean-Honoré Fragonard, a prominent French Rococo painter, left an indelible mark on the art world with his vivacious and hedonistic approach to painting. Born in Grasse, France, in 1732, Fragonard's journey into the art world was marked by his early apprenticeship under François Boucher, whose influence is evident in the young artist's work. Fragonard's talent and skill were recognized early on when he won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1752, which allowed him to study at the French Academy in Rome.

Jean-Honoré Fragonard's work is characterized by a remarkable facility, exuberance, and a penchant for themes of love and voluptuousness that resonated with the opulent and pleasure-seeking milieu of Louis XV's court. His paintings, such as "The Swing" (Wallace Collection), "Blind Man's Bluff," and "The Bolt," are celebrated for their tender beauty, vibrant color, and the virtuosity of his brushwork. These works encapsulate the essence of Rococo art with their playful themes, intricate compositions, and luminous palette​​​​​​.

Despite the initial success and the king's patronage, which saw his piece "Coresus et Callirhoe" being bought and reproduced at the Gobelins factory, Jean-Honoré Fragonard's career took a turn as the French Revolution upended the social order and the artist's private patrons were guillotined or exiled. This period forced Fragonard to leave Paris, seeking refuge in Grasse. He returned to the capital in the early 19th century, where he died in 1806, almost forgotten. It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that Fragonard's work was re-evaluated, cementing his position among the masters of French painting. His influence on the Impressionists, particularly Renoir and his grandniece Berthe Morisot, is undeniable, showcasing his lasting impact on the trajectory of art history​​​​.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Jean-Honoré Fragonard's oeuvre represents the pinnacle of Rococo art, offering a glimpse into the opulent and sensuous world of 18th-century France. His paintings are not just artistic achievements but are also historical documents that reflect the cultural and social dynamics of his time.

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Date and place of birt:5 april 1732, Grasse, France
Date and place of death:22 august 1806, Paris, France
Nationality:France
Period of activity: XVIII, XIX century
Specialization:Artist, Painter
Genre:History painting, Pastoral, Portrait, Religious genre
Art style:Classicism, Rococo

Creators France

Jacques-Philippe Caresme (1734 - 1796)
Jacques-Philippe Caresme
1734 - 1796
Lydia Fyodorovna Mandel (1900 - 1978)
Lydia Fyodorovna Mandel
1900 - 1978
Ralph Ward Stackpole (1885 - 1973)
Ralph Ward Stackpole
1885 - 1973
Jules-Élie Delaunay (1828 - 1891)
Jules-Élie Delaunay
1828 - 1891
Louis-Francois-Gerard van der Puyl (1750 - 1824)
Louis-Francois-Gerard van der Puyl
1750 - 1824
Johan Barthold Jongkind (1819 - 1891)
Johan Barthold Jongkind
1819 - 1891
Avigdor Arikha (1929 - 2010)
Avigdor Arikha
1929 - 2010
Jean Puy (1876 - 1960)
Jean Puy
1876 - 1960
Camille Alaphilippe (1874 - 1934)
Camille Alaphilippe
1874 - 1934
François Bonvin (1817 - 1887)
François Bonvin
1817 - 1887
Vladimir Izhakovich Naiditch (1903 - 1980)
Vladimir Izhakovich Naiditch
1903 - 1980
Charles Ferdinand Ceramano (1831 - 1909)
Charles Ferdinand Ceramano
1831 - 1909
Togrul Pharman Oglou Narimanbekov (1930 - 2013)
Togrul Pharman Oglou Narimanbekov
1930 - 2013
Jean-Michel Moreau (1741 - 1814)
Jean-Michel Moreau
1741 - 1814
Nicolas Toussaint Charlet (1792 - 1845)
Nicolas Toussaint Charlet
1792 - 1845
Martin Desjardins (1637 - 1694)
Martin Desjardins
1637 - 1694

Creators Classicism

Peter Becker (1828 - 1904)
Peter Becker
1828 - 1904
Louis Skell (1869 - 1950)
Louis Skell
1869 - 1950
Paul Decker I (1677 - 1713)
Paul Decker I
1677 - 1713
Joachim Johann Nepomuk Spalowsky (1752 - 1797)
Joachim Johann Nepomuk Spalowsky
1752 - 1797
Karl Purrmann (1877 - 1966)
Karl Purrmann
1877 - 1966
Pieter Angellis (1685 - 1734)
Pieter Angellis
1685 - 1734
Mathias Gasteiger (1871 - 1934)
Mathias Gasteiger
1871 - 1934
André-Jean Le Brun (Lebrun) (1737 - 1811)
André-Jean Le Brun (Lebrun)
1737 - 1811
Alexandre Jean Noël (1752 - 1834)
Alexandre Jean Noël
1752 - 1834
John Berney Ladbrooke (1803 - 1879)
John Berney Ladbrooke
1803 - 1879
François de Troy (1645 - 1730)
François de Troy
1645 - 1730
Aarons George (1896 - 1980)
Aarons George
1896 - 1980
Anne Vallayer-Coster (1744 - 1818)
Anne Vallayer-Coster
1744 - 1818
Paolo Fanfani (1823 - 1893)
Paolo Fanfani
1823 - 1893
Ludwig von Hagn (1819 - 1898)
Ludwig von Hagn
1819 - 1898
Jean-François-Théodore Gechter (1795 - 1844)
Jean-François-Théodore Gechter
1795 - 1844
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