The Dance in the Park
Artist: Nicolas Lancret (French, 1690-1743)
Date: Probably 1730s
Dimensions:
H: 44 in. (111.7 cm); W: 57 in. (144.7 cm)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1954.17
Label Text:In a lush park presided over by a classical sculpture of Bacchus, Roman god of wine, a group of young, well-dressed pleasure-seekers converse with and romance one another. The focal point of the painting is the couple engaging in a dance, each shown mid-step. The man, wearing a mask and a colorful costume derived from stock theater characters, twists his torso elegantly, arm stretched towards his partner. He plays the castanets in accompaniment to the hurdy-gurdy player sitting in the shadows beneath the sculpture.
The rich yellows, reds, and blues of this painting are typical of Lancret’s palette.
The rich yellows, reds, and blues of this painting are typical of Lancret’s palette.
On view
In Collection(s)