La Guerre
Edme Bouchardon
About this artwork
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.