Half-Length Study of a Man
18th century
Medium
Black and white chalk on beige (probably formerly blue) laid paper
Dimensions
Sheet: 6 3/4 x 6 3/16 in. (17.2 x 15.7 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2004
Accession Number
2004.475.8
Tags
Art Historical Context
François Boucher, the quintessential Rococo artist of 18th-century France, masterfully captured the elegance and intimacy of the human form in this *Half-Length Study of a*. Created during the opulent era of Louis XV, when Boucher served as court painter and designer for Madame de Pompadour, drawing exemplifies his preparatory sketches—essential tools for developing larger paintings and decorative schemes. The contemplative gaze of the male subject, evoked by the work's tags, invites viewers to ponder the quiet introspection amid the frivolity of Rococo life. Executed in black and white chalk...
About the Artist
François Boucher · 1703–1770
François Boucher (1703–1770) stands as the quintessential master of French Rococo painting and the most celebrated decorative artist of the 18th century. Born in Paris to a lace designer, Boucher created a visual language that perfectly embodied the refined taste, sensuality, and elegance of Louis XV's court. His prolific output—encompassing paintings, tapestry designs, theatrical sets, and decora...