François Boucher, 1703 Paris – 1770 ebenda, zugeschrieben

WASHERWOMEN AND GIRLS WITH CATTLE BY A MILLSTREAM Mixed media, watercolor over pen and ink and opaque white, on laid paper. Visible dimensions 37 x 29 cm. In passepartout, framed behind glass. The watercolor in oval format shows the highest quality, both in terms of pictorial invention, technique, composition and the effect of light. In this respect, it is comparable to Boucher's well-known works. However, his fame during his lifetime, his large workshop and the popularity of his motifs had inspired a large circle of artists. The fineness of the pen and ink strokes is captivating, especially in the faces, which demonstrate the highest level of skill. The density of the narrative details in the picture is unusual, even though the pictorial details, such as the thatched mill building with its crookedly hanging shutters, the lumps of stone as a bridge or the luggage piled up on a donkey next to the cow, sheep and girl, represent a rare abundance. The light group of trees points to Boucher's early enthusiasm for his teacher Fragonard. The overall effect makes this small painting a work of distinction for the French Rococo. Provenance: Formerly Edmond de Rothschild Collection. Formerly Bernheimer, Munich. Sotheby's New York, January 2001, lot 385. South German aristocratic property. Literature: Cf. Anton Reichel, François Boucher, Berlin 1948. (14005115) (11)