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Rococo

Antoine Watteau

Antoine Watteau (1684–1721) invented the fête galante — dreamy scenes of elegant figures at play in idyllic parks. His delicate, melancholy art opened the Rococo age.

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1684–1721 · French Rococo painter

Watteau brought a new poetic mood and tenderness to French painting, shaping the entire Rococo style.

From the artist's life

The Academy created a special category — fête galante — just to admit Watteau, since his work fit no existing genre.

Source: Wikipedia / Wikimedia
  • Invented the dreamy fête galante genre.
  • Brought melancholy and poetry to Rococo painting.
  • Died young of tuberculosis at just 36.
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Portrait: Antoine Watteau
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia.

Key works

Where to start

Complete list of key works

Works with a dedicated ArtAtlas page are highlighted in gold.

List checked against Wikidata
  • The Embarkation for CytheraOn ArtAtlas
  • PierrotListed for reference
  • The Shop Sign of GersaintListed for reference
  • L'IndifférentListed for reference
  • Fêtes VénitiennesListed for reference
  • Nymph and SatyrListed for reference
  • The Faux PasListed for reference
  • Actors of the Comedie-FrancaiseListed for reference
  • MezzetinListed for reference
  • The ChordListed for reference
  • Hôtel de ChoiseulListed for reference
  • The two cousinsListed for reference