Sheet of Sketches 1735

This Sheet of Sketches was made by Francois Boucher sometime in the 18th century. The artist uses light and shadow to create this scene in ink on paper. Boucher, who was a court painter for Madame de Pompadour, embodies the Rococo style. This is evident in his interest in the lives of everyday people. Though celebrated in his lifetime, Boucher was later criticised by the likes of Denis Diderot, who felt his art lacked moral gravity. Here, we see a collection of figures who appear to be peasants. There is a weariness in the seated woman’s posture. Meanwhile, the figure standing next to her appears youthful, with rosy cheeks. These characters prompt us to consider the hierarchies of the 18th century, and to consider those whose lives were not always considered worthy of aesthetic representation. While this sketch flattens some of the realities of 18th-century class division, it still invites us to acknowledge the lives of those outside the aristocracy.