Nymphs and River Gods, ca. 1735 – 1740

Blatt: 159 x 266 mm

Inventory Number: 1165

Object Number: 1165 Z

Status: Can be presented in the study room of the Graphische Sammlung (special opening hours)

Texts

About the Work

The energetic pen drawing, which may stand in connection with Boucher's fountain designs engraved in copper, but also seems to claim its own artistic right, combines nature and art (the sculpted relief) with the nudes of old bearded river gods and young beautiful water nymphs. The result is a peculiar combination of an Arcadian antique scene and the atmosphere of a rococo park.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Nymphs and River Gods

Draughtsman

François Boucher

Period Produced

18th century

School

rococo

Object Type

drawing

Material

Technique

pen drawing

Geographic Reference

French

Production Reason

Captions Added Later: Verso unten links Stempel des Städelschen Kunstinstituts, Frankfurt am Main (Lugt 2356), mit zugehöriger Inventarnummer

Watermark

Nicht geprüft

Work Catalogues

Ananoff 1966.I.233.899

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Department of Prints and Drawings

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Iconclass

Primary

92L3(+2) nymphs (in general); 'Ninfe in commune' (Ripa) (+ love-affairs)
92K1(+2) river-gods (+ love-affairs)

Secondary

31A2364 lying on one side, with uplifted upper part of the body and leaning on the arm
25II9(+0) landscape with ruins - II - ideal landscapes (+ variant)