Faith and Charity
Medium
black chalk counterproof on oatmeal paper
Dimensions
overall: 37 x 26.7 cm (14 9/16 x 10 1/2 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Regina Slatkin
Accession Number
1993.38.1
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 ...