Description of the painting by Antoine Watteau “Capricious”

Description of the painting by Antoine Watteau Capricious

Antoine Watteau was the first French artist who decided to reject academism with its heroic pathos.

Before us is one of his gallant paintings. He seeks to convey to the audience the feelings and feelings of the characters. This is a sketch made by the artist in the garden, where representatives of secular society usually walked.

We see a young lady. She is wearing a dark elegant dress. Her head is proudly raised, and her lips are capriciously pouting. The lady turned to her cavalier, and he said something very ingratiating to her. The viewer becomes clear that the lady and her gentleman are tempted in these matters. We see just a love game. This intimate scene takes place in one of the rather secluded alleys of the old park.

The artist was able to convey the doubts tormenting the heroine. She can not decide that it is better to leave or to listen to what the man wants to say to her. Watteau wanted to pinpoint the reaction

of a woman and her character as accurately as possible. He tried to convey the alarm, which is quite difficult to catch. The artist absolutely poeticizes absolutely banal episode. A shade of reverie and sadness is introduced, which is carefully hidden. But at the same time it is felt in everything.

The coloring of the picture is of undoubted interest. It is based only on gentle tones. In the figures themselves, the color is quite saturated. It is emphasized by the softness of the colors that Watteau used to paint the landscape. The trees are translucent, and the silhouettes of strolling couples are only guessed.

You can feel the rhythm of music in the whole composition. The contour of the figures is whimsical, soft outlines of trees with a pattern of thin woven branches, the colors sound very gentle. It is like a chord that sounds very quiet.

Watteau deliberately uses semitones. He transmits feelings with restraint. The composition is built elegantly. Paint applied smears. They then shine, then only flicker slightly.

The picture is incredibly lyrical. The everyday scene is depicted with deep lyricism.


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Description of the painting by Antoine Watteau “Capricious”