Game of children engaged in the wheat harvest (Allegory of Summer), Étienne Jeaurat (Vermenton 1699 – Versailles 1789)

Étienne Jeaurat (Vermenton 1699 – Versailles 1789)

Game of children intent on harvesting wheat (Allegory of Summer)

Mid 18th century

Oil on canvas (97 x 129 cm – With frame 112 x 145 cm)

We present to you a splendid painting, traditionally attributed to the French painter Étienne Jeaurat (Vermenton 1699 – Versailles 1789), depicting a riot of children.

The canons of the Rococo period are present here, the most delicate, light and at the same time elegant of styles, capable of interpreting the peculiarities of the French society of the Ancien Régime in painting. Baroque painting with its exuberance, massive, rational forms, could not represent the aristocracy, which instead saw a more prestigious and representative language in luminosity, decorativeness, grace and idyll.

The composition is, to be precise, taken from a canvas by Boucher, created around 1730 and now kept at the Museum of Fine Art in Houston (https://emuseum.mfah.org/objects/18420/the-cherub-harvesters) , which depicts a joyful group of cupids busy, in a playful manner, with the wheat harvest.

Predominant in our canvas is the sensation of gracefulness, emphasized by the graceful poses of the children and by the use of the palette, where the colors are light and bright, to enhance the beautiful play of chiaroscuro, typical of the painters of this period.

Jeaurat also dedicated himself to this type of subject, symbol par excellence of the frivolous pleasures of life that the aristocratic class yearned for, certainly knowing the highly appreciated works of the contemporary Francois Boucher.

The work is in good condition, complete with a beautiful lacquered and gilded wooden frame with leaf-carved corners.

Étienne Jeaurat (Vermenton 1699 – Versailles 1789) – Pupil of Nicolas Vleughels, friend of Antoine Watteau, in 1724 the painter stayed in Rome and returned to Paris and in 1733 he was registered at the Royal Academy. In 1737 he exhibited for the first time at the Salon des Artistes of the Louvre where he continued to regularly exhibit his works until 1789, he was then elevated to professor and subsequently chancellor in 1781. Returning to the work presented here, a similar composition, but of slightly larger, is found in the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, dated 1744.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is sold accompanied by a certificate of authenticity in accordance with the law.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the Riva del Garda gallery in Viale Canella 18, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.
Follow us also on:

https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/