Figurative Drawings and Sketches by François Boucher

François Boucher ( 1703 – 1770 ) was one of the most celebrated painters and decorative artists of the 18th century, a prolific and excellent draftsman and etcher, who worked in the Rococo style. His drawings, which partly served as studies for his oil paintings and as designs for printmakers, were also very popular by the collectors as ready-made artworks.

'' Venus and Cupid '' , Black chalk heightened with white chalk on blue paper , Image Source

Boucher followed the standard studio practices of the time. He had first worked out the overall composition of his main canvases, then made chalk studies for individual figures or groups of figures. He loved to combine black and white chalk with sanguine on brown-toned paper, achieving exquisite color effects on this way.

'' Two studies of girl’s heads, seen from behind '' , Black chalk , Image Source

'' Venus Presenting Aeneas to Jupiter and Juno '', black chalk , pen with brown ink , brush with brown wash white gouache on tan antique laid paper , detail , Image Source

Boucher also did oil and gouache sketches when preparing large assignments. Over time, he made more and more sketches as independent works for the market. He was also a very talented engraver and etcher, has etched over 180 original copper plates.

'' Reclining Nude Venus '' , sanguine with stumping , heightened with white chalk on cream paper , Image Source

'' Studies of a Turbanned Head , a Foot and Hands holding a Sword and a Stick '' , red black and white chalk on buff paper , Image Source

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