Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Nicolas Lancret died in 1743; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1813.
In context
swing — Nicolas Lancret
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 53 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Nicolas Lancret (1690–1743) every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1730 Main working years: 1730–1738 Late works: from 1738
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/nicolas-lancret-swing-8LT2WZ-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Black #0c0504
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 63.8% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 112 works by this artist, of which 56 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Paris, France
Born: Paris, France (January 22, 1690)
Died: Paris, France (September 14, 1743)
Nicolas Lancret's artistic journey began in Paris, where he was born in 1690. While detailed records of his early life are scarce, it is known that he received initial training under Pierre d’Ulin, a respected history painter. A pivotal moment arrived when he encountered the work of Antoine Watteau, whose influence profoundly shaped Lancret's artistic direction. He subsequently studied with Jean-Baptiste Gillot, who himself had been a student of Watteau, further solidifying his connection to this influential artistic lineage. This period of training laid the foundation for Lancret’s distinctive style, characterized by its lighthearted depictions of Parisian society and celebrations of fêtes galantes.
Lancret became renowned as a brilliant portrayer of everyday life within French society during the Regency of the Duke of Orleans and the early reign of King Louis XV. His artistic style is marked by charming scenes of balls, fairs, village weddings, and other social gatherings, reflecting the tastes and manners of his time. He excelled at capturing the spirit of Rococo elegance and frivolity.
Notable Works:
Le Déjeuner de Jambon (Chantilly, Musée Condé, 1735): A quintessential example of his genre scenes, depicting a convivial ham breakfast with lively figures.
La Servante Justifiée (1735-1740): Showcases Lancret's ability to portray domestic scenes with wit and charm.
Le Jeu des Quatre-Coins: A playful depiction of a popular game, capturing the energy and amusement of social interaction.
Marie-Anne de Camargo (1730): A portrait demonstrating his skill in depicting fashionable figures.
Lancret’s artistic style bears a clear resemblance to that of Watteau, often leading art historians to compare the two. While some critics have considered Lancret's work to be somewhat less profound than Watteau's, his ability to capture the essence of French society in the 18th century has secured him a significant place in art history. His paintings are celebrated for their lightheartedness and charm, offering valuable insights into the social customs and aesthetics of the Rococo period. Lancret’s influence can be seen in later artists like François Boucher. His works reside in prestigious collections worldwide, including the National Gallery and the Musée d'Orsay, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire appreciation for French Rococo art.
Throughout his career, Lancret demonstrated a gradual evolution in his artistic approach. While initially heavily influenced by Watteau, he developed a more distinctive style characterized by livelier colors and a greater sense of harmony between figures and their surroundings. His later works, such as Montreir de lanterne magique and Family in a Garden, are considered to represent the peak of his artistic achievement, showcasing an increasing ability to create depth and intimacy within his compositions. Lancret’s historical significance lies in his contribution to the Rococo movement and his ability to document the social life and cultural values of 18th-century France through his charming and accessible paintings.
wahooart.com/en/art/download/nicolas-lancret-swing-8LT2WZ-en/
Look closely
swing — Nicolas Lancret
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The luminance recorded for "swing" by Nicolas Lancret is dark.
The perceived brightness of "swing" by Nicolas Lancret is deep_shadow. It can be matched to the light of the intended space.
"swing" by Nicolas Lancret is recorded as deep_shadow, with a dark luminance.