Figure Studies
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-426-9
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
François Boucher, a of the Rococo style, created *Figure Studies* in 5, early in his illustrious career as the official painter to King Louis XV of France Born in 1703, Boucher renowned for his playful, sensual depictions of mythological scenes and elegant figures, blending fantasy with exquisite detail. This print captures his skill in rendering the human form, likely serving as preparatory studies for larger paintings—a common practice among artists of the era to refine poses, anatomy, and graceful movement. As a print, the work exemplifies the technical prowess of 18th-century reproductive...