Declaration of Love

Nicolas Lancret’s ‘Declaration of Love’ captures a moment of courtly romance. It dates to around 1720. The painting is an oil on canvas.

The scene is typical of the fête galante style, where figures in elegant attire gather in a parkland setting. This genre was created by the French Academy in 1717.

Lancret’s work reflects the tastes of French society during the early 18th century. His paintings often depict light-hearted scenes of aristocratic leisure.

He was born in Paris in 1689 and became known for his depiction of light comedy. He worked during the regency of the Duke of Orleans and the early reign of Louis XV.

Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio, https://clevelandart.org/art/1944.86

https://oolf.net/open-art/lancret-declaration-of-love/