Faith and Charity

Art Historical Context

"Faith and Charity," a delicate drawing created by François Boucher after Giovanni Battista Gaulli around 1728–1731, captures the young French artist's early admiration for Baroque masters. Boucher, who would become a leading figure in the Rococo movement with his playful, ornate style, here reinterprets Gaulli's compositions—known from grand frescoes like those in Rome's Il Gesù church. At just 25–28 years old, Boucher produced this work on oatmeal paper, a textured support that lent a subtle warmth to the image. The medium, black chalk counterproof, reveals a fascinating technique: Boucher likely pressed an original chalk drawing against damp paper to transfer a mirror-image version, creating a soft, reversed replica ideal for study, multiples, or engraving preparation. Measuring 37 x 26.7 cm, this intimate sheet exemplifies 18th-century draftsmanship's ingenuity, bridging Baroque vigor with emerging Rococo elegance. Allegorical figures of Faith and Charity evoke Christian virtues, symbolizing devotion and compassion amid the era's artistic revival of classical themes. Now housed in the National Gallery of Art as a gift from Regina Slatkin, this drawing offers a window into Boucher's formative years, highlighting how emerging talents honored predecessors while forging their own path. A true gem for lovers of Old Master sketches!