Available online
Description
The programme examines the paintings of Chardin, particularly his portrayal of women,and relates them to works by his contemporaries.
The programme examines the paintings of Chardin, particularly his portrayal of women,and relates them to works by his contemporaries.
| Module code and title: | A204, The Enlightenment |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A204; 15 |
| First transmission date: | 18-09-1980 |
| Published: | 1980 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:23:42 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Paul Kafno |
| Contributor: | Francis Frascina |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Boucher; Chardin; Fragonard; Greuze; Paintings; Watteau |
| Footage description: | The programme opens with successive shots of paintings depicting women, mostly nudes. They range in period from the 16th to the l8th centuries. 17th century French music is played over these images. Francis Frascina explains that the programme will relate Chardin's work to the l8th century art market, painting techniques, and European traditions of painting the female image. Shot of paintings by Bronzino and Poussin, over which Frascina considers their depiction of women. A number of 17th century Dutch genre paintings are viewed, with music over. Using Titian's Concert Champetre as an example, Frascina discusses the role of the male spectator vis a vis paintings of nude women. Frascina describes l8th century demand for paintings of women. Three works by Watteau are examined to see how women are portrayed. The same treatment is given to nudes by Boucher and Rubens, and these are then contrasted with Poussin's Et in Arcadia Ego. Frascina describes the 18th century artistic controversy about the relative merits of 'Ancients' and 'Moderns'. Boucher's Odalisque is examined as representative of the 'Moderns'. Frascina contrasts Odalisque with Chardin's Woman Returning from the Market. He describes how Dutch painting influenced Chardin over shots of his Self-Portrait. Three of Chardin's still lives are shown, over which Frascina explains the popularity of such subjects in the 18th century. A number of vanitas paintings by Chardin are exanined in which a moral message is communicated. Most are concerned with the dangers of time wasting and deal particularly with the work of servants. Using The Smoker's Case as an example, Frascina describes Chardin's painting technique and quotes Diderot's appreciation of it. Frascina describes l8th century ideas about the role and behaviour of women and relates two of Chardin's portraits to these beliefs. he describes the popularity of paintings depicting aristocratic intrigues and love affairs. A number of such works are shown, with music over. Frascina examines a number of Chardin's paintings that show women with children or children on their own. He considers the way in which Chardin portrays women in works like The Diligent Mother and examine the moral messages central to these works. His paintings of children are examined in a similar manner. Frascina contrasts the way in which Chardin portrays boys and girls. Frascina briefly lists the strengths of Chardin's painting, then goes on to consider the work of some of his contemporaries. Paintings by Greuze, Bouche and Fragonard are shown and are compared with Chardin's treatment of similar subjects. The portrayal of women by these other artists is dwelt upon. Frascina concludes by explaining why Chardin's paintings have retained their popularity. Music over shots of several of his works. |
| Production number: | FOUA002W |
| Videofinder number: | 2274 |
| Available to public: | no |
