Reclining Nude c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have François Boucher’s "Reclining Nude" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a red chalk drawing, and there's a certain relaxed sensuality that comes through, even in a preliminary sketch. What can you tell me about the social context of such a work? Curator: Boucher's nudes, while seemingly innocent, reflect the Rococo period’s aristocratic taste for playful eroticism. How might the rise of the *salon* as a social space have influenced the demand for such imagery? Editor: So, it was less about personal consumption and more about public display and taste-making? Curator: Precisely. The salon was a key place where art and social status intersected. It defined the cultural landscape of the time. Editor: That's a very different perspective than just seeing it as a pretty picture. Thanks!