Francois Boucher'S Aurora And Cephalus
Technique: Giclée quality print
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This painting by François Boucher, titled "Aurora and Cephalus," is a lush and vivid portrayal of a mythological scene that captures the essence of the Rococo style for which Boucher is renowned. The painting depicts Aurora, the goddess of dawn in Roman mythology, gently approaching a sleeping Cephalus, a mortal.Aurora is depicted floating on a dense cloud, her body relaxed and somewhat languid in posture as she reaches toward Cephalus. She is adorned in a flowing, diaphanous robe of yellow, symbolizing the morning light, which contrasts beautifully against the soft blues and pinks of the sky, evoking the colors of dawn. Her expression, tender and affectionate, suggests a moment of quiet intimacy and adoration as she looks upon Cephalus.Cephalus himself is portrayed in a peaceful slumber, dressed in a simple, loose garment, lying amidst a lush landscape. The presence of a loyal dog curled at his feet adds a touch of everyday life to the celestial scene, grounding the mythological subject in a more relatable reality. Nearby, a quiver and a bow hint at Cephalus' identity as a hunter.The composition of the painting is vertical and elongated, drawing the viewer's eye upward from the grounded, earthy elements at the bottom to the ethereal, softly lit forms above.
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François Boucher (1703–1770) was a French painter, engraver, illustrator and printmaker. He was a proponent of Rococo and had a huge influence in spreading the style throughout Europe. His art was idyllic and voluptuous with a high-toned palette of blues and pinks. He created designs for all decorative arts, porcelains and tapestries. Boucher also painted several portraits including his patroness Madame de Pompadour. He is one of the most celebrated decorative artists of the 18th century.