Jean-Antoine Watteau Seashell Morgan Library |
"This is one of only eight known shell studies by Watteau, generally believed to have been drawn in 1720, when the artist was convalescing at the home of the picture dealer Gersaint, whose private collection included seashells."
Text is from the Morgan Library description of this supernatural Watteau seashell. The illness suffered by the artist was serious and his convalescence temporary. He died the next year at the age of 36.
Jean-Antoine Watteau Portrait study of a young woman Morgan Library |
Jean-Antoine Watteau Study of seated man, back view Morgan Library |
The Watteau drawings at the Morgan – like everything else at the Morgan – are the finest of their kind. The Watteau drawings at the Rijksmuseum (below) are more abundant.
Jean-Antoine Watteau Woman with veil Rijksmuseum |
Jean-Antoine Watteau Study of youth with sword-hilt Rijksmuseum |
Jean-Anotine Watteau Study of seated woman Rijksmuseum |
Jean-Antoine Watteau Studies of seated woman Rijksmuseum |
Jean-Antoine Watteau Studies of child and musicians Rijksmuseum |
Jean-Antoine Watteau Studies of reclining woman Rijksmuseum |
Jean-Antoine Watteau Study of guitar player Rijksmuseum |
Jean-Antoine Watteau Studies of women Rijksmuseum |
In 1727, six years after Watteau's death, François Boucher made a posthumous portrait of his artistic predecessor and colleague.
François Boucher Portrait of Jean-Antoine Watteau etching and engraving 1727 Philadelphia Museum of Art |