Allegory of Autumn 1753

Francois Boucher created this oil on canvas painting, "Allegory of Autumn," during the Rococo period in France. It embodies the era’s emphasis on ornamentation, leisure, and the senses. Boucher was a favorite artist of Madame de Pompadour, King Louis XV’s mistress, and his art often graced the private apartments of the French aristocracy. This painting, with its playful cherubs and abundance of fruit, likely served as a decorative overdoor in a wealthy patron's home. Its imagery reinforces the values of the French court, where displays of luxury and pleasure were associated with power and status. The cherubs, symbols of innocence and beauty, further idealize the aristocratic lifestyle. To fully understand Boucher's work, we must consider the social and political context of 18th-century France. Art historians consult period documents, such as letters and inventories, to reconstruct the lives of both artists and patrons and the institutions that shaped their world. By doing so, we reveal the complex relationship between art and society.