Rococo
La Camargo Dancing
Nicolas Lancret
1730
oil on canvas
Andrew W. Mellon Collection
National Gallery of Art
Nicolas Lancret
1730
oil on canvas
Andrew W. Mellon Collection
National Gallery of Art
Watteau's Pilgrimage to Cythera and Lancret's painting of La Camargo Dancing come from the Rococo period of France. The Rococo period was a break from the restrictions of the French Baroque, put in place by Louis XIV. As such, the subject matter of paintings changed to reflect a more joyful, carefree environment. The vegetation in both pieces grows wild and untamed, which contributes to the movement against the controlled gardens of Louis XIV. Like much of the aesthetics of Rococo, the dress of the figures in the paintings are flamboyant and decorative. Both paintings only make slight reference to classical ideas in the statue of La Camargo Dancing and the similar statue in the Pilgrimage to Cythera. Neither work directly related a historical myth of event, and the works did not fall in the category of genre scenes either. As such, they could not be considered history paintings, nor fit into any other genre established by the Academy. The Academy in France created a new genre of painting for the artists, namely the prized student Watteau, who decided on painting festive outings- la fete galante- of which, both Pilgrimage to Cythera and La Camargo Dancing are examples.