Aurora and Cephalus 1720 - 1770

Francois Boucher made this drawing, "Aurora and Cephalus," using red chalk, a popular medium in 18th-century France, to depict a mythological scene. Boucher, as a favorite artist of Madame de Pompadour, epitomized the Rococo style, an aesthetic closely associated with the French aristocracy. The drawing encapsulates the period's fascination with classical antiquity, filtered through a lens of courtly romance and sensuality. The figures, Aurora, goddess of the dawn, and Cephalus, a mortal hunter, are rendered with soft lines and a focus on idealized beauty. The chariot with cupid driving it and hounds by the feet of Aurora reference classical antiquity, however, the emphasis on intimacy and emotional expression reflects the values of the French court. To fully appreciate Boucher's work, one must consider the social and institutional context in which it was produced. Art history provides essential information about the patronage system, the artist's training, and the prevailing artistic tastes of the time. This drawing not only tells a story of gods and mortals but also of the society that cherished such tales.