Jean-Antoine Watteau was a French painter and draughtsman. His short career spanned the early modern period and helped revive the waning interest in movement and colour, which had been a hallmark of the Baroque style. His works shifted from classical to a less severe naturalistic Rococo style, and he is widely considered one of the most influential artists of the period.
His earliest works were copycats of Old Masters. He also produced many etchings, but his work was too abstract and did not fit into any established category. Nevertheless, it was accepted as part of the broader "grand themes" category. His sweet palette was highly admired. He made countless delicate drawings of nature. The result of his work is that many of Watteau's most celebrated paintings are still popular today.
The first portraits Watteau produced were a masterpiece of detail. His second series depicted a series of actors in a comedy. The artist was also inspired by the theater and he often studied different performances. Another important genre of his work was fete galante paintings, in which well-heeled people enjoy themselves outdoors. This type of painting highlights Watteau's talent for portraying nature and led to repeated commissions from the aristocratic Pierre Crozat. As a result, his compositions became well-known in Europe through the circulation of engravings and drawings.
A life of inability and mental vulnerability also contributed to Watteau's fame and artistic output. Despite his low health and frequent move-abouts, he produced an astounding number of paintings, as well as being an excellent draughtsman. The works of his last decade were some of his most acclaimed and enduring. He was regarded as one of the greatest artists of the eighteenth century, and his work is regarded as a timeless masterpiece.
