La Guerre

Art Historical Context

Edme Bouchardon, a prominent French sculptor and draughtsman of the 18th century (1698–1762), *La Guerre* ("The War") in red chalk, a medium prized for its warm, fleshy tones that excel in rendering human forms with lifelike subtlety. This intimate drawing, measuring 12 11/16 x 8 13/16 inches, likely captures the emotional toll of conflict through figures of women and children—oking pathos in a Rococo-era style that blends classical realism with expressive tenderness. Bouchardon, favored by Louis XV and renowned for monumental works like the Fountain of the Four Seasons, often used such preparatory sketches to refine his sculptural compositions. Red chalk's versatility allowed Bouchardon to model soft contours and dramatic lighting, techniques that bridged his training in Rome under classical masters and the elegant naturalism of French Enlightenment art. Though the exact date is unknown, the work reflects 18th-century preoccupations with war's human cost, possibly alluding to contemporary European conflicts. Acquired through the Harry G. Sperling Fund in 1979, *La Guerre* resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, highlighting Bouchardon's mastery of draftsmanship. It invites visitors to ponder the timeless tragedy of war amid delicate chalk strokes, a poignant reminder of art's power to humanize history.

About the Artist

Edme Bouchardon · 1698–1762

Born 29 May 1698; died 27 July 1762. Bouchardon was a student of Guillaume Coustou, and won the prix de Rome in 1722. He spent ten years (1722-1732) in Rome, Italy working on various projects for Pope Clement XII. In 1732 Bouchardon was recalled to Paris and named sculptor to the king. Bouchardon became a professor at the Académie Royale in 1746. He worked on an equestrian monument of Louis XV, Ki...