The world famous French decorator, engraver and painter Francois Boucher was born in the capital of France in September 1703. He followed in the footsteps of his father, who earned his living by drawing patterns for embroidery and prints, and from an early age he helped him in the workshop, showing talent in the fine arts. Father, noticing this, gave him to study with the famous engraver Jean Kars.
The beginning of an independent life allowed Francois to earn money by his own labor and to establish useful relations with high-ranking clients of his teacher.
Carier start
In 1720, Boucher continued his studies with the then-famous master-monumentalist Lemoine, and from 1722 he learned the art of engraving and books using the instructions of Jean-Francois Cara Sr.
The first serious work of the painter came in 1722, when he was commissioned to create illustrations for the new edition of Gabriel Daniel's work, French History. The year 1723 brought the artist an award: the picture of Francois Boucher, "Evil-Merodach, son and heir of Nebuchadnezzar, freeing King Joachim from the shackles," revealed the talent of the painter to the general public.
Italian vacation and triumphant return
In 1727, Bush sent to Italy in order to replenish his knowledge and better look at the works of famous masters of his craft.
A great influence on the further creativity of the artist had the work of Giovanni Lanfranco and Pietro da Cortona. Francois Boucher, whose paintings are known to many Rococo fans, synthesized in his works certain traditions and techniques of painting, choosing the style most suitable to his character.
Returning from Italy in 1731, the artist became a candidate for membership in the Royal Academy in the department of historical painting. After 3 years, thanks to the film "Rinaldo and Armida", he was finally approved as a member of the academy. In the same period, Boucher worked at the Beauvais manufactory.
The 30s and 40s of the 18th century brought the painter numerous official orders for painting apartments in Versailles, in particular in the Dauphin's apartments, small apartments, and the Queen's room.
He painted the halls of the Royal Library. Taking advantage of the favor of Louis XV and his favorite, the Marquise de Pompadour, Boucher received an order to decorate their residences, as well as mansions close to the courtyard of the nobility.
What Francois Boucher wrote about
Allegorical and mythological scenes are one of the favorite topics for Francois Boucher. The artist’s paintings are distinguished by grace, piquant amusement and a certain zest that emphasizes the main idea of the canvas. Also quite often, the painter chose scenes from the village and, in contrast, urban life for his canvases: for example, fairs, festivals, the fashionable life of wealthy Parisians.
The pursuit of excellence and the efforts that Bush put into his works allowed him to become the head of the Tapestry manufactory in 1755. He worked very fruitfully: numerous engravings, decorations for performances and operas, fan paintings, miniatures, porcelain ornamental paintings, paintings for the royal trellis manufactories and, of course, the well-known illustrations for the books of Boccaccio, Moliere and Ovid brought a well-deserved fame to François Boucher. The artist’s paintings are stored in many museums around the world: the Louvre Museum, the Petit Palais Museum, the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts, the St. Petersburg Hermitage Museum, the National London Gallery, the Prado Museum in Madrid and many others.
A special manner of the artist, distinguished by sophistication, pretentiousness, the desire to escape from reality, invariably attracts the attention of visitors to museums and galleries.
Knowing perfectly the mores of the Paris nobility, Boucher nevertheless tried to hide their true desires and vices behind the faces of ordinary rural shepherds.
Francois Boucher: paintings
In 1765, Boucher became the "first painter of the king" and was appointed director of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture.
This is perhaps the highest peak in the career that artists of that time dreamed of conquering.
1770 gave the artist another regalia - an honorary membership in the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts.
Pictures of Francois Boucher with names that fully reveal their content, conquer by the purity of execution and the special manner that prevailed in the early years of the artist.
Among the most famous works of the painter, it is worth highlighting such works as Pygmalion and Galatea, Love Letter, Jupiter and Callisto, The Abduction of Europe, Triumph of Venus, Hercules and Omphala.
The great creator died in May 1770 at the age of 67. The memory of Bush Francois, whose paintings, prints , engravings and miniatures inspired more than one generation of aspiring artists, left a noticeable mark in the history of fine art of the 18th century and will live in the hearts of connoisseurs of his talent for a long time to come.