Washerwomen
1768
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
95 x 93 in. (241.3 x 236.2 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Department
European Paintings
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Julia A. Berwind, 1953
Accession Number
53.225.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
François Boucher, a leading master of the Rococo style in 18th-century France, *Washerwomen* in 1768, capturing the playful elegance of everyday rural life during the lavish era of Louis XV. As Premier Peintre du Roi, Boucher was renowned for his lighthearted, sensual depictions of nature and the human figure, often infused with mythological or pastoral themes. This large-scale oil on canvas (nearly 8 feet square) evokes the grandeur of a tapestry, ideal for adorning a grand salon, and reflects the Rococo emphasis on curved forms, vibrant colors, and idyllic harmony. The scene brims with live...
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...