From the artist's life
In The Swing, a young man hidden in the bushes peeks up the skirts of a swinging lady as her slipper flies into the air — a witty, naughty masterpiece.
Source: Wikipedia / WikimediaRococo
Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806) was the last great master of French Rococo, painter of flirtation, luxury and sunlit pleasure. His sparkling The Swing captures the playful, sensual spirit of the age.
Fragonard's effervescent style was swept away by the Revolution, but he remains the enduring image of Rococo joie de vivre.
- The last great master of light, flirtatious French Rococo.
- His The Swing is the playful emblem of the era's pleasures.
- Fell out of fashion after the Revolution and died nearly forgotten.
Key works
Where to start
Complete list of key works
Works with a dedicated ArtAtlas page are highlighted in gold.
- The SwingOn ArtAtlas
- A Young Girl ReadingListed for reference
- The Stolen KissListed for reference
- The LockListed for reference
- Blind Man's BluffListed for reference
- The Birth of VenusListed for reference
- The See-SawListed for reference
- The Chemise WithdrawnListed for reference
- Jeroboam Sacrificing to IdolsListed for reference
- The Model's First SittingListed for reference
- The BathersListed for reference
- The Music LessonListed for reference
1767
The Swing
At the peak of the swing her slipper flies off into the air — the airborne shoe became a famous symbol of lost innocence and erotic abandon.