The Embarkation for Cythera, Jean-Antoine Watteau
Jean-Antoine Watteau
The Embarkation for Cythera
DE
Back to top
Related works

Related external works

Different version

Jean-Antoine Watteau: Einschiffung nach Kythera (2. Fassung), 1717, Öl auf Leinwand, 129 × 194 cm, Inv. Nr. 8525, Musée du Louvre, Paris

Jean-Antoine Watteau: Einschiffung nach Kythera (3. Fassung), 1718, Öl auf Leinwand, 130 × 192 cm, Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin

Jean-Antoine Watteau

The Embarkation for Cythera, ca. 1709 – 1710


Dimensions
45.5 x 56 cm
Physical Description
Oil on canvas
Inventory Number
2150
Acquisition
Acquired in 1982 with means provided by Städel Museum, the State of Hesse, the city of Frankfurt am Main and Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V., joint property with Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.
Status
On display, 2nd upper level, Old Masters, room 17

Texts

About the Work

It was Watteau, the painter of the French Rococo’s ‘fêtes galantes’, who executed this work. Etchings record the contemporary title as ‘Ile de Cythère’ (Island of Cythera). Greek mythology’s island of love is visible in the background, which is populated by innumerable cupids. On our side of the water, a company of young ladies and gentlemen in festive attire has gathered to board the gondola and head for the isle of love. The luminous colours testify to the influence Venetian painting had on Watteau.

Audio & Video

  • Basic information
    01:16
  • Focus on cultural history
    01:31
  • Highlights of the Städel Collection
    01:42
  • Exhibition “RENOIR. ROCOCO REVIVAL” (2022)
    01:40
  • Kunst|Stück – Jean-Antoine Watteau: Die Einschiffung nach Kythera
    Sammlungshighlights des Städel Museums in unterhaltsamen und informativen Filmen – das sind die Kunst|Stücke. Entdecken Sie spannende Details zu Kunstwerken aus ungewöhnlichen Blickwinkeln in unter zwei Minuten. Jean-Antoine Watteau: Die Einschiffung nach Kythera (um 1709-10), Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Gemeinsames Eigentum mit dem Städelschen Museums-Verein e.V. https://sammlung.staedelmuseum.de/de/werk/die-einschiffung-nach-kythera#yt

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
The Embarkation for Cythera
Painter
Period Produced
School
Object Type
Physical Description
Oil on canvas
Material
Technique

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Administration
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Gemeinsames Eigentum mit dem Städelschen Museums-Verein e.V.
Picture Copyright
Public Domain
Acquisition
Acquired in 1982 with means provided by Städel Museum, the State of Hesse, the city of Frankfurt am Main and Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V., joint property with Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre
Main Motif
Associated Persons and Institutions
Illustrated Passage
  • Florence Dancourt: Die drei Cousinen, Lustspiel, Uraufführung 1700 in Paris

Iconclass

Primary
  • 33C941 embarkation for Cythera
  • 11Q62 pilgrimage, pilgrim(s) under way
  • 25HH landscapes - HH - ideal landscapes
  • 92D1916 cupids: 'amores', 'amoretti', 'putti'
Secondary
  • 46AA63 meeting, assembly - AA - in the open air
  • 33C relations between the sexes

More to discover

Albums

Contact

Do you have any suggestions, questions or information about this work?

Last update

15.05.2023