The Pathways to Enlightenment

 

Les hasards heureux de l'escarpolette (The Swing)

Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732 - 1806)

    This timeless classic work of art is Jean-Honoré Fragonard's most famous piece. "The Swing" was commissioned by an unknown person in the French court. This gave Fragonard a fresh new start for his career. He had been painting historical formal paintings for royal commissions and could now paint for private clients and freedom to explore a lighter subject matter and pleasure.

    Rococo has many characteristics, such as the wide use of flowers, warm pastels, and cream colors. Graceful lines and curves instead of symmetry. With references to Greek and Roman mythology in a park-like setting, giving an aristocratic lifestyle of luxury. 

    The private commissioner wanted a painting of his mistress in a dreamy garden, swinging over her lover, exposing her lacey skirts and garter. This risqué painting was created for a smaller space, like a cabinet or private study. Today it is widely studied and shows many hidden symbolisms. This gave Fragonard an opening to an inner circle of patrons, new clients, and fame.

    Fragonard was able to use the playfulness of the rococo style to enlighten the shadow side. While the young lady wants to break free from the constraints of an unwanted/forced marriage(the ropes of the swing and the husband in the shadows) she is still held back. However, in the illusion of her hidden secret, she swings forward toward her lover and enjoys suppressed pleasures. He also gives recognition to the rococo sculptor, Falconet. The lover is hiding in the rose bushes under the sculpture of "Menacing Love" with its finger to mouth to keep them secret lovers. 

    What really captivated me was the sunlight coming through the trees, and shining on the carefree lady on the swing in the spotlight. The artist really captivated the movement of swinging with the brush strokes in the skirts and using creamy whites for the skirts of the pastel silk pink dress of the aristocrat. The different layers of the shadows bring to light the freedom of indulging in the daily pleasures of life.

    It also reminded me of a scene from the book I just finished reading last semester, "Baron in the Trees" by Italo Calvino. I would love to have a copy of this painting in a room where I like to read. I think the size of the painting intended to be smaller for a more intimate setting was a good choice. I can see why it is still being discussed today.

Telemachus and the Nymphs of Calypso

by Angelica Kauffmann

Telemachus and the Nymphs of Calypso

oil painting by Angelica Kauffmann, 1782

    Kauffmann was born in Switzerland but made her reputation in Italy and England, where she was a founding member of the Royal Academy. This painting has a companion painting, "The Sorrows of Telemachus". They were executed in Rome for Monsignor Onorato Caetani, and also had his portrait painted by Kauffmann. She was among Europe’s most sought-after history painters. With a supportive father figure, Kauffmann was able to discover her talents at an early age. How inspiring are her achievements, especially at a time when women's rights were not yet equal.

    I choose Kauffmann's painting of Telemachus as an example of neoclassical painting. Neoclassical became popular in the second half of the Classical era from the influences of the unearthing of Pompeii. The inspiring ruins of Pompeii rebirthed the classics from ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, art, and science. Moving away from the vanity and gaudiness of the Rococo style. Humanism was able to make more progress from the Renaissance era, aiding toward thinking freely. Giving society a mirror to reflect on as society was transforming, and gaining enlightenment. The neoclassic belief was that art should express ideal virtues in life and help the viewer see the moralizing message. The revival of the classics made pathways for political revolutions for several governments.

    This painting depicts the story from, " The Adventures of Telemachus"by Francois Fenelon in 1699.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Aventures_de_T%C3%A9l%C3%A9maque#Themes  Telemachus is the son of Ulysses the Greek hero from the Trojan Wars. Telemachus goes in search of his father who hasn't returned from war yet. He has been guided by Athena, disguised as an old man. They have been washed up on the shores of an island inhabited by Calypso and her nymphs. Calypso falls in love with Telemachus from his mentor, and her nymphs distract the young man from his mentor. The book is from the gaps in Homer's Odysseus. Kauffmann was able to portray this vulnerable scene with a linear perspective. Using a soft skyline in the background, the dark cliff brings you into an intimate scene of Calypso pulling the goddess of wisdom and justice disguised as an old man guiding the young prince on his journey to find his father. The sea and sky are calm, but then you see the old man's face and it is stern. His hand is firmly saying "No!" as his rear foot hesitates to leave the young man alone with the nymphs. 

    I was really intrigued by the artist and her depiction of the author's story. I had a hard time picking from Kauffmann's collection. I settled on " Telemachus and the Nymphs of Calypso"  because I wanted to know more about the story. How hard it must have been for his mother to send her son off to look for his father who had been missing for twenty years. Telemachus' mentor practically raised him. Minerva is disguised as an old man trying to teach wisdom to a young prince who is naive and easily distracted by pleasure. To stay focused or indulge. History repeats itself unless we learn our lessons from the past. I think a copy of this painting would be nice in a study or library. The original should stay in its home at the Metropolitan in New York City. 

"Voltaire" 1778

Jean-Antoine Houdon, 1741 - 1828

    Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, satirist, and historian. Famous for his wit and his criticism of Christianity and slavery, Voltaire was an advocate of freedom of speech, religion, and separation of church and state. He was an outspoken advocate of civil liberties and pretty much a rebel. 

    Jean-Antoine Houdon was a neoclassical sculptor, who sculpted portraits of the leaders of the Enlightenment movement. Voltaire turned out to be his most popular sculpture. Houdon was able to capture the genius's weariness from fighting for justice, yet encapsulates his spirit and compassion for humankind. The smoothness of the marble material gives the subject's face a gentleness. Using the classical style from the ancient Greek and Roman styles makes this sculpture ageless.

    The Classical Era was a busy time. Breaking free from aristocratic life and revolutions happening, being an artist during this era sounded exciting. Voltaire was exiled to Switzerland, and Houdon was making sculptures of the leaders of the Enlightenment movement. A lot was going on then and still more going on today. 

    Allowing ourselves to reflect on history and see different perspectives of these different eras, allows us a deeper lens to see our present times. When I look at Houdon's marble sculpture of "Voltaire", I see the spirit of a man who never gave up fighting for what is right, human dignity, and respect. I could appreciate a replica of this masterpiece in my study space. The original should stay at the National Art Gallery in Washington D.C. to be inspired by Voltaire's wisdom and Houdon's sculpting talents.  

Works Cited:

"The Swing". Jean-Honoré Fragonard. https://wallacelive.wallacecollection.org:443/eMP/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=65364&viewType=detailView. 3/20/24

"Telemachus and the Nymphs of Calypso". Angelica Kauffmann. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436810. 3/20/24

"Voltaire". Jean-Antoine Houdon. https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.46715.html#overview. 3/20/24