Landscape near Beauvais early 1740

Francois Boucher painted Landscape near Beauvais in oil on canvas. Though seemingly a simple vista, the material handling is key to understanding its cultural context. The Rococo style, of which Boucher was a master, wasn't just about pretty pictures. It was also about a particular way of making. Notice the rapid, virtuoso brushwork, especially in the foliage and water. This wasn't about careful, laboured representation; it was about ease, fluidity, and a kind of effortless artistry. Boucher made many drawings for the Gobelins tapestry factory, and he was deeply engaged with the decorative arts. The loose brushwork you see here is analogous to the light touch of a weaver at the loom. This aesthetic, which seems so carefree, was very much a product of its time, the result of a society where even labor could be aestheticized and made to seem like play. So next time you see a Rococo painting, remember it's not just a pretty picture, it's also a statement about work and leisure.