Why Were These Paintings So Snarky?

Rococo art largely serves the tastes of aristocratic clients. But what happens when an artist goes rogue?

The Swing, Jean-Honoré Fragonard ca. 1767. Via Wikimedia Commons.

If you’re an artist, and you’ve been enlisted to paint a client’s portrait, you are generally supposed to make them look good. Sometimes, you may be forced to take creative liberties with their appearance, such as making them look younger or stronger than they actually are. 

But what happens when an artist goes rogue? What if they wish to insert their own commentary into the piece?

As many of you know, The Crossroads Gazette launched its YouTube channel several weeks ago. In the latest video, we’ll explore social critique in Rococo art, while taking a closer look at Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s The Swing (1767) and Thomas Gainsborough’s Mr. and Mrs. Andrews (1750).

Watch below (9 min):