Head of a Young Boy 1763

Jean-Baptiste Greuze made this oil on canvas head of a young boy during the 18th century. Greuze was known for his sentimental genre paintings, which often depicted scenes of everyday life with moralizing undertones. Here, the boy's averted gaze and slightly flushed cheeks suggest a moment of introspection or perhaps even guilt. The loose brushwork and soft lighting create a sense of intimacy, drawing the viewer into the boy's emotional world. Paintings such as this coincided with the rise of the bourgeoisie and their attendant values of domesticity, sentimentality, and moral virtue. Greuze's paintings were popular among this new middle class, who saw in them a reflection of their own values and aspirations. By studying Greuze’s drawings, as well as the writings of critics, philosophers and historians, we can better understand the changing social and cultural landscape of 18th-century France.