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Nicolas
Lancret
(1690-1743)
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The
Outdoor Concert, 1743
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Nicolas Lancret was a
Classical, Rococo style painter of lighthearted French
lifestyles with country landscape backdrops. Born in
Paris, he was initially trained as an engraver, but took
an interest in painting when he became apprenticed to a
historical painter. His early academic training was at
the Academie Royale in 1708; however, he did not
complete his studies there because he was expelled for
bad behavior. After apprenticing with Claude Gillot,
Lancret was again accepted to the Academie Royale in
1719, and found great success as a painter the second
time around. |
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A Company at the Edge of a Wood
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Le Menuet, 1732
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Brother Philippe’s Geese |
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As a student under
Gillot, Lancret learned the style of painting the “fete
galante”. He met with much commercial success by
depicting French social elite engaged in frivolity and
fun, hence the “fete” or “party” theme to a number of
his paintings. Even though he adopted this technique
from his instructors, Lancret chose a color palate of
his own, warm in yellows and reds, which set him apart. |
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Fete Galante
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The Wedding Dance
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The Swing
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Lancret’s style became
so popular amongst the aristocracy that in his lifetime,
his works were purchased by Louis XV and hung in the
corridors of Versailles. His scenes of courtly amusement
were certainly pleasing to royalty and aristocracy in
his time.
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Das Moulinet
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The Bird Cage, 1735
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Lancret was among all
things an immensely prolific painter, creating over 700
paintings in his lifetime, as well as etchings and
sketches. Many of these paintings featured a light
comedy, that wasn’t so much mocking society as it was a
reflection of the mannerisms of the time. |
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The Marriage Contract
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A Hunter and His Servant
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Winter
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The Servant Justified
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However prolific he
may have been, Lancret rarely painted anything above or
beyond his typical lighthearted pieces. Rarely did he
paint portraits, landscapes or still life, however he
did occasionally try his hand at historical or
mythological compositions. |
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The Earth Undated, 1730
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The Seat of Justice in the Parliament of Paris
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Today, Lancret’s work
is housed all over Europe, in the National Gallery in
London and in the Louvre in Paris. Still wondering about
a Louis XV-era French painting hanging in your home or
estate? It could be by Nicolas Lancret. Contact us to
find out. |
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Lovers in a Landscape |
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