One of the most forward-looking artists of the eighteenth century, Jean Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806) was a virtuoso draftsman whose works on paper count among the great achievements of his time. This book showcases Fragonard's mastery and experimentation in a range of media, from vivid red chalk to luminous brown wash, as well as etching, watercolor, and gouache. With essays that focus on the role of drawing in his creative process and provide a modern reevaluation of his graphic work, the book offers fresh perspectives on this innovative and independent artist, who began his career in the Rococo era but lived through and adapted to changing times in France, and who chose to leave the more defined path of official patronage in order to work for private clients. Unlike many earlier painters who used drawings primarily as preparatory tools, Fragonard explored their potential as works of art in their own right, ones that permitted him to work with great freedom and allowed his genius to shine. The 100 featured works come from New York collections, public and private, balancing a mix of well-loved masterpieces, new discoveries, and works that have long been out of the public eye. Fragonard: Drawing Triumphant illuminates the approach of a ceaselessly inventive artist whose draftsmanship was at the core of his remarkable body of work.

At the time of his death in 1806, the Rococo artist Jean-Honore Fragonard had not painted for two decades. Following a period of huge public success, the painter's reputation fell. Personally secretive, Fragonard created revealing images that undermined a normal sense of space and time. Satish Padiyar investigates the life and work of the last of the libertine painters of the ancien regime, a contemporary of Denis Diderot and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and presents dramatic new perspectives on works such as The Progress of Love, painted for Madame du Barry, the infamous The Bolt and the ever-popular The Swing.

Unique perspectives from an acclaimed art historian on the relationship between drawing and painting From Drawing to Painting interweaves biographical information about five renowned French artists—Nicolas Poussin, Antoine Watteau, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Jacques-Louis David, and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres—with a fascinating look at dozens of their drawings and the links that they have to their paintings. This book explores drawing as a site of reflection, the space between the idea of a painted image and its realization on canvas. How, why, and for whom did these artists draw? What value did they place on their drawings? How did their drawings get handed down to us? In what way do they enable us better to understand the artists’ intentions, their creative processes, and to penetrate their worlds? Pierre Rosenberg determines that each artist approached drawing in a distinctive way, reflecting his individual training, work habits, and personal ambitions. For example, Poussin viewed his drawings simply as working documents, Watteau preferred his drawings to his paintings, and Fragonard made a lucrative business selling his graphic work. For David and Ingres, drawing had a considerable pedagogical function, whether in copying the great works of their predecessors or in sharpening their own techniques. From Drawing to Painting Offers an unprecedented view of the artistic process, and makes an important and beautiful addition to any art library. Please note: All images in this ebook are presented in black and white and have been reduced in size.

Reveals the intriguing story behind the commission, rejection, and rehousing of masterpiece The Progress of Love.

"Carracci, Tintoretto, Poussin, Guercino, Gainsborough, Romney, Fragonard, Tiepolo, Blake, Turner, Gericault, Delacroix, Menzel, Whistler, Klimt, Rodin, Derain, Tobey, de Kooning, and Diebenkorn are among the artists represented in the Stanford Museum. Its collection of nearly 1,500 drawings is strongest in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but also includes notable drawings of the Late Renaissance, Baroque, and contemporary periods, many of which have until now remained unpublished." "This volume presents 140 of the drawings with a full-page duotone or color illustration accompanied by an essay consisting of a critical text, as well as a complete physical description, bibliography, provenance, and exhibition history. Additional drawings are presented on a smaller scale and with abbreviated descriptions."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved