ARTH 3312 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Madame De Pompadour, History Painting, Physiognomy
Document Summary
Mid 1740s - mistress of the king was appointed - pompadour. Earned huge sums of money for it. Yet there was public scorn/ criticism of his work (not shown at the salon) Diderot - leading salon critic of the time initially praised work but then would call his work degrading in all aspects. Public opinion flipped from seeing this art as truth to falsity. 1751 - venus paintings, pendant pair meant for a chateau bathroom. The typical kind of paintings that pompadour would ask boucher for. Pompadour was a daughter of a banker, accustomed to many possessions. She is meant to be portrayed in these paintings. Created for place of intimacy - private retreat. She was the love object of the king. She liked to be characters in productions - assumes roles well. Generically a history painting - mythological without noble deed/ action. Decadent and superficial but he is a great draftsman.
