Jean Claude Richard, Abbot of Saint-Non (Fanciful Figure) 1769

Jean-Honoré Fragonard painted this portrait of Jean Claude Richard, Abbot of Saint-Non, using oil on canvas. Made in France, this image reflects the Rococo period, a time of aristocratic indulgence shortly before the French Revolution. We can see this in the Abbot's theatrical pose and lavish clothing. Fragonard uses light and color to create a sense of drama and immediacy. The art world of 18th century France was deeply shaped by the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, which dictated standards of taste and controlled access to patronage. Fragonard, although a member of the Academy, often embraced a more informal and expressive style, challenging the rigid conventions of academic art. The "fancy pictures," of which this painting is an example, allowed the artist to express his creative freedom. To truly understand this work, we must consider the social and artistic conventions of the time, consulting historical documents, critical reviews, and biographies of the artist and his subject. In doing so, we can appreciate its role in shaping the cultural landscape of 18th-century France.