Oh! If Only He Were as Faithful to Me 1770 - 1775

Jean-Honoré Fragonard created this drawing titled "Oh! If Only He Were as Faithful to Me" with brown wash on paper. The image presents a woman, reclining in a boudoir setting, accompanied by her loyal canine companion. The scene evokes the themes of love and infidelity, common subjects in 18th-century French art. Fragonard was a prominent figure in the Rococo movement, which favored ornate details and playful themes, reflecting the aristocratic tastes of pre-revolutionary France. The presence of the dog as a symbol of fidelity underscores the absence of such virtue in the woman’s lover, hinting at the moral ambiguities prevalent in the French court. To understand the artwork better, we would examine the diaries, letters, and literature of the time. These would offer insights into social norms and the complex relationships between the aristocracy and the institutions that shaped their lives. Through this research, we can appreciate the social role of art and reflect on the meaning of art as something that is contingent on social context.