Lady Seated on a See-Saw 

Nicolas Lancret made this drawing, Lady Seated on a See-Saw, with red chalk. The sketch shows a woman seated on a plank, seemingly suspended in mid-air. Lancret’s use of line is economical, yet the hatching and cross-hatching give a real sense of volume and texture to the sitter’s garments. Lancret was known for his light-hearted depictions of aristocratic life. What we see in the drawing might be a study for a larger composition. The woman’s extended arm and the tilt of the see-saw imply movement, suggesting a moment of delicate balance and perhaps playful instability. Lancret’s rococo style often presents a world where appearances are carefully constructed. This study, with its spontaneous lines and unfinished quality, offers a glimpse behind the curtain. The drawing remains open to interpretation, inviting us to reflect on the relationship between preparation and performance.