Jean-Antoine Watteau was a ballet dancer of a painter. His works brought back into fashion a style of work suffused with subtle movement, colour and shape; a style of painting that had rapidly lost interest in Europe into the 17th century. His works were playful and charming, and his paint seems to contain an internal motion of light and reflection that make his paintings very enjoyable to engage with. He was self-deprecating of his own talent and personality but very well-regarded by his friends and the wider arts community. He was almost a pre-figuration of Edgar Degas, if you will. Except Watteau preferred to paint communal scenes of social gatherings of idle French aristocracy, rather than the dance companies that taught their young daughters ballet. And Watteau actually seemed like a nice person, well-liked among his circle.
The Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly this month host the first retrospective exhibition of the drawings of Jean-Antoine Watteau. Displaying over 80 works on paper, the pieces are shown chronologically, giving an insight into the artist's development, particularly of his trademark fêtes galantes scenes, and his growing expertise of reds, blacks and whites. Like the artist himself, this is a subtle and understated show but has the potential to hold your attention for hours, and your thoughts for life.
Watteau: The Drawings is on at The Royal Academy of Arts from 12 March - 5 June, 2011.
