Young Girl Reading

Jean-Honoré Fragonard, born on April 5, 1732, in Grasse, France, and passing on August 22, 1806, in Paris, stands as a quintessential figure of the French Rococo movement. His early life in Grasse was marked by the loss of his younger brother, leaving him an only child before his family relocated to Paris when he was six. This move proved pivotal, as Paris became the backdrop for his illustrious career. Fragonard's artistic talents emerged early, leading him from a clerical position, where his skills were first recognized, to the studios of Jean Siméon Chardin and later François Boucher. Under Boucher's mentorship, Fragonard honed his ability to emulate the masters, a skill that earned him the prestigious grand prix de peinture in 1752 for his work 'Jéroboam sacrifiant aux idoles'. Fragonard's journey took a significant turn with his Grand Tour to Italy, where he immersed himself in the Baroque influences of Giambattista Tiepolo and Pierre de Cortone. Despite the academic rigor of his early works, his time in Rome and travels across Italy with friends like Hubert Robert and Victor Louis enriched his artistic vocabulary. The patronage of Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non during this period was instrumental, supporting Fragonard's transition from historical themes to the gallant and libertine scenes that would define his oeuvre, exemplified by masterpieces such as 'Le Verrou'. Fragonard's legacy is a testament to his versatility and his pivotal role in the Rococo movement, blending the playful with the profound in a style uniquely his own.