Francois BoucherFrench, 1703–1770Pastorale
May one see it?
Yes, receiving visitors
Victoria and Albert Museum
RoomEurope 1600-1815, Room 3London, United Kingdom
On public display.
- Checked
- 7 days ago
- In this state since
- Sep 25, 2026
- Source
- The museum's own collection data
About the painting
François Boucher (1703-1770) was born in Paris and probably received his first artistic training from his father who was a painter before attending the Académie de France in Rome. He may also have travelled to Naples, Venice and Bologna. Around 1731 Boucher returned to Paris where he rapidly gained the royal favour and interest from the private collectors. He was a very prolific artist and produced a wide range of artworks from pastoral paintings, porcelain and tapestry designs as well as stage designs influencing deeply the new Rococo movement.
Read on
This painting was executed by Boucher in 1763 and later exhibited at the Salon in 1765. It depicts two young shepherds on the edges of the wood and illustrates a typical Arcadian theme of love associated to music and innocent amusements. This work is a fine example of Boucher’s oeuvre pervaded with mischievous pastoral scenes which would become the hallmark of his art and eventually of the whole rococo period.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- 374-1901
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 7 days ago
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Meanwhile, in the life of Francois Boucher
The whole life1720–1770 · Workplace
Paris
1761
Rector of the Royal Academy
Despite the loss of popularity that began in 1760 as Rococo gave way to Neoclassicism, he became rector of the Royal Academy.
1765
Director of the Academy and First Painter to the King
He became director of the Royal Academy and succeeded Charles Van Loo as First Painter to King Louis XV — the summit of his official career.
1765–1770
Post: Premier peintre du Roi
