Antique oil painting on canvas depicting a gallant scene in the park. France early 19th century.

Description: Ancient painting depicting a moment of leisure of French aristocracy, anonymous French schoolmaster from the early 19th century, oil on canvas. The composition of the scene is carried out by three characters, a man and two girls, caught in a joyful picture of daily life animated by the carefree joie de vivre typical of the frivolous and worldly aristocracy.

Our painting is inspired by the so-called "gallant scenes", a pictorial theme that became so pre-eminent in European pictorial culture since the first decades of the 700th century to the point of almost having the dignity of a pictorial genre. It reflects a modus vivendi of the high society of the time, accustomed to the pleasures of life, to the comfort of courtly well-being, among diversions, whims and various delights.

Historical notes: The eighteenth century is the century of gallantry, of the affirmation of the principles of bon ton, an extreme formalism spreads in all European courts and it is in this feeling that also shapes the other great theme, that of the so-called " Fêtes galantes” (gallant parties), a term that refers to a genre of painting specifically created by the French Academy in 1717 to describe the variations on the theme of the “fête champêtre” introduced by Antoine Watteau (1684-1721), characterized by figures in ball gown or dressed up in masquerade, set in an outdoor garden setting.

A lush landscape frames the three figures, contributing to that pleasant sensation of peace, harmony and serenity, far from palace protocols, far from rigid patterns in favor of a more spontaneous and genuine reconciliation with nature and with the simple things of life. The gestures are simple, the facial expressions genuine, the landscape with the waterfall is idyllic.

The clothes are those of the eighteenth century tradition even if the painting was created in the early 800th century in an almost nostalgic way. That of the ancient regime was now a distant memory, decapitated by the principles imposed by the French Revolution and spread by the Napoleonic campaigns.

The canvas is embellished with a beautiful French frame in gilded wood in gold leaf, engraved beat, smooth band with carved corners.

Origin: France (1820/40)

Measurements: 115x95cm.

Document: Certificate of Authenticity.

Assistance: We are at your disposal for further clarifications or photographic details

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We wish you a good day.

Borrelli Antiquities.