Fragonard, Jean Honoré << fra gaw NAR, zhahn aw naw RAY >> (1732-1806), a French painter, was one of the most versatile artists of the 1700’s. Early in his career, he painted in the decorative rococo style adopted from his teacher, Francois Boucher. From 1756 to 1761, Fragonard studied in Rome, where Italian art and settings influenced his work. Following his return to Paris, he first tried to make a career with large-scale historical scenes. He soon found he had more success producing small, charming rococo works such as The Swing (about 1766).
About 1769, Fragonard created a remarkable group of paintings known as Fantasy Heads. The paintings are studies of his literary and artistic friends painted in bursts of quick inspiration. Later, he began painting charming scenes of mothers and children, sometimes as religious subjects. In addition, Fragonard painted exuberant landscapes. In the early 1770’s, he painted four decorative panels called The Progress of Love for Madame du Barry, mistress of King Louis XV, but she rejected them. Fragonard was born in Grasse, France.
