A Gardener and a Gentleman c. 1745

"A Gardener and a Gentleman" is a pen and ink drawing by the French artist Jean Claude Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non, created around 1745. The artwork depicts a seated gentleman in fashionable clothing engaging in conversation with a gardener, possibly discussing the care of the garden. This intimate scene captures the casual interaction between two figures from different social classes, offering a glimpse into the social landscape of 18th-century France. The loose, gestural lines and the emphasis on form over detail create a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, characteristic of Saint-Non's artistic style. The drawing's small size suggests it was likely a personal sketch or a study for a larger work.