Watteau the Rebel: The Court v the Commedia dell'arte
Mon 06 Jun
|Widcombe Social Club
Usually thought of as the quintessential artist of the French Rococo, lecturer Timothy Wilcox explores how Watteau's immersion in the worlds of theatre, music and dance allowed him to create a parallel reality: one which resembled real life on the surface, while hinting at a different realm.


Time & Location
06 Jun 2022, 11:30 – 12:30
Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath BA2 6AA, UK
About the Event
Lecturer Timothy Wilcox
Category Paintings
Watteau is usually thought of as the quintessential artist of the French rococo: delicate, charming and dedicated to the pleasures of love, not as a carnal pursuit but as an encounter full of subtle wit and elegant conversation. This lecture explores how Watteau’s immersion in the worlds of theatre, music and dance allowed him to create a parallel reality: one which resembled real life on the surface, while hinting at a different realm beyond. Watteau’s most famous pictures: The embarkation for the Island of Cythera and Gilles are examined in detail; although they defied convention and remain elusive as to their exact meaning even to this day, they brought Watteau fame and the admiration of artists and public alike.
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Location Widcombe Social Club
Widcombe Social Club is situated at the bottom of Widcombe Hill within walking distance of the Bus and Railway Stations. From…