The representation of intimacy and sexuality in the paintings of François Boucher

Essay from the year 2011 in the subject Art - History of Art, grade: 1,7, University of Essex (Art History), course: Art, Sex & Death in the 18th Century, language: English, abstract: François Boucher (1703-1770) has not been taken seriously by art historians for many years. It took them a while to discover his genius. Today he is one of the most important painters of the Rococo. In his paintings he covers themes like female grace and sexuality and transfers his protagonists into intimate and erotic settings. This essay is going to examine the ways in which Boucher does represent those themes of intimacy and sexuality in his paintings. To support the resulting arguments, specific examples of his works will be given. The essay concludes in a comparison to Boucher's most talented pupil, Jean-Honoré Fragonard and his famous painting 'The Swing'.