Assemblée dans un parc, J 108, circa 1785

Author(s): watteau, françois louis joseph (known as watteau de lille) (valenciennes, 18–08–1758 - lille, 01–12–1823), painter production date: around 1785 dating in century: 18th century type(s) of object(s): painting name(s): table dimensions - artwork: height: 65cm width: 82cm iconographic description: françois watteau from lille strives to represent with precision and care the outfits of the elegant parisian women in this “assembly in a park”. This same search for details in the toilets is found in the series of drawings that he executed between 1783 and 1786, based on sketches taken from life, engraved by bacquoy and dupin fils for the "gallery of french modes and costumes", published in paris from 1778 to 1787 by the publishers j. Esnault and m. Rapilly (lille, palais des beaux-arts, wicar funds). Several outfits and hairstyles worn by the young women of this "assembly in a park" can also be compared to certain plates in this collection (cf. Burollet, thérèse, 2004, p. 304-305). Historical commentary: we can probably recognize in this painting from the cognacq-jay museum the painting, considered lost, presented by françois watteau of lille on april 11, 1785 for approval at the lille academy. Indeed, the dimensions and the subject agree: the ornamental piece, 2 feet high by approximately 2 and a half feet wide, is described as "a picturesque garden in which young people, women and children dressed in the fashion of the day rest and walk" (cf. Burollet, thérèse, 2004, p. 305). François watteau of lille often draws on his numerous sketches to develop each new composition, several drawings can be put in relation to this table (cf. Burollet, thérèse, 2004, p. 305-307). We can also compare the outfits of some figures on the canvas at the cognacq-jay museum to certain drawings by françois watteau of lille representing elegant outfits, executed between 1783 and 1786 and engraved by bacquoy and dupin fils for the "gallery of french fashions and costumes" (lille, palais des beaux-arts, wicar funds). Mode of acquisition: legacy name of donor, testator, seller: cognacq, ernest date of acquisition: 1928 institution: cognacq-jay museum, the taste of the 18th century inventory number: j 108 exposed: cognacq-jay museum, level 2, room 5. Date: circa 1785.