La Source 1736

Charles-Joseph Natoire painted “La Source” using oil on canvas, sometime in the mid-18th century. It's a wonderful example of the French Rococo, evoking a playful and sensual atmosphere. But the real interest for the social historian lies in asking what this image meant for the cultural institutions and social norms of its time. Natoire was a product of the French academy, winning the Prix de Rome, which allowed him to study in Italy. He later became director of the French Academy in Rome. This painting, with its classical subject matter, would have demonstrated Natoire's mastery of academic conventions. Yet the eroticism and extravagance of the image also show the influence of the court of Louis XV. The painting suggests that art could be a vehicle for both social mobility, as Natoire used his training to rise in the ranks of French society, and for the expression of the monarchy's values. We can use archival records, biographies, and other historical documents to understand this painting as a product of its particular social and institutional context.