The Italian Serenade 

Jean-Antoine Watteau painted ‘The Italian Serenade’ with oil on canvas, capturing a scene of leisure and entertainment. Watteau's feathery brushstrokes, particularly evident in the rendering of the figures' costumes, give the painting a light and airy quality. The garments are painted in soft hues of creams and whites. The subtle gradations of colour create a sense of movement and fluidity, evoking the shimmering fabrics favored by the aristocracy. The artist's choice of oil paint, combined with his skilled handling, allows him to capture the textures and luminosity of the textiles. It is clear that they are members of the upper classes, their labor masked behind elegant clothing and frivolous pursuits. This focus on leisurely pursuits reflects the social values of the time, where appearances and indulgence were celebrated by the elite, whose wealth was built on the labor of others. The painting serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between art, social class, and the economics of labour in 18th-century France.