Bathing Diana

Stored in the Louvre "Bathing Diana" Francois Boucher is one of the characteristic paintings of Rococo art. Despite the well-honed artistic perfection, she was not accepted contemporary artists and critics. But "bathing Diana" (together with a written seven years later and stylistically similar "Tulet Venus") loved and appreciated impressionist Auguste Renoir. And Nude "The luncheon on the grass" Edouard Manet is similar to the Diana Bush, like a sister.

Bush loved to portray a beautiful naked female body – that none of his contemporaries could compete with it. Connoisseurs and critics are always happy to have noticed how graceful his heroines wrists, feet and ankles, how transparent alabaster skin. Without fear artist traditionally for himself exhibited the painting at the Paris Salon of 1742, as here, he always contributed to the success.

Psychological type Bush does not belong among the strong and confident personalities, who "bend the line" in art. On the contrary, it is easily compromised with customers and current trends. Salon the fashion for Rococo was consistent with his own creative aspirations. "Bathing Diana" became the quintessential features of this new art: sensual grace with a small proportion of mannerisms, delicate combination of pink, pearl and blue color, sinuous and graceful interlacing lines (which became more fastidious due to the fact that Bush has chosen an unusual angle, a bit from the bottom) – it was simultaneously the characteristic features of the style of the Bush.

Alas, the Salon of 1742, was for the artist a failure. "Bathing Diana" has not received any positive response, received a few critical kicks and after only a few days were withdrawn from the exhibition.

But a few years for the film "pass" sophisticated intellectual escapades, enlightener Denis Diderot. Now it was impossible to imagine that in his youth he admired the unsurpassed flavor of the Bush. But the artist seemed disappointed scientist that stayed true overlegalizing topics. Diderot demanded great skill and depth and seriousness. And that was just what Bush could not give him. And because Diderot came to sharpness.

This is about "Diana Bathing" it was said that Bush speculates on antiquity, and he only thinks of how to undress their heroines. About the heroine of Diderot wrote: "Their rouged body should admire dandies" and "But who are they – all these girls Bush? Graceful women of the demimonde, and nothing more!".
 
The following charges from Diderot was the fact that his passion for the Nude Bush indulges the tastes of the lower class. And it was odd: the lower class all focused on the tastes of the Parisian aristocracy and eagerly adopted them and just request for the elegant and lightly-refined were formed "from above". But the most hurtful accusation from Diderot was not even this. And the fact that he accused Bush that he prostitutes his own wife. The fact that many Venus and Diana Bush (our – no exception) had the face of his wife Marie-Jeanne. To write a naked character with a legitimate wife – it was too much even for loose sexual mores of the eighteenth century.

Modern researchers, however, believe that the reputation of Madame Boucher had not suffered: for the image of the gorgeous naked bodies of her husband resorted to the services of models. Well, "bathing Diana" failed miserably at the Salon of 1742, is now considered one of the true masterpieces of Boucher.

Author: Anna Yesterday