A pair of decorative arts designs, each featuring roses integrated into a decorative arts design. These are attractive paintings in their own right, but perhaps were made as designs for fabrics or wallpaper. Each has a central figure with roses and ribbon-tied embellishments, surrounded on top and bottom by additional decorations. They exhibit the early neoclassical style of the Louis XVI period that succeeded the rococo period. Known in France as Goût Grec [Greek taste], this style incorporated classical elements such as those discovered on the painted ancient Roman walls in Pompeii and Herculaneum, as excavations progressed during the mid 18th century. Stylistically, the studies shown here may be seen as transitional between the asymmetry of the rococo and the symmetry of the neoclassical. The sentimental rose motif is also a carryover from rococo art.
Each is on laid paper, with the paper maker’s watermark.
Condition: Generally very good, the colors bright and fresh. Paper overall lightly toned, and some scattered light running of watercolor, not obtrusive. Green colors nicely oxidized to the back demonstrating further their authenticity. Small border of framers tape on backside, very outer margins, where formerly matted, appears stable and not endangering watercolor. Now floated in French mats in beaded gold-leaf frames. |
