Fragonard's Progress of Love at The Frick Collection

ISBN: 1904832601

Author: Bailey, Colin B.

Condition: New

This richly illustrated volume reveals the intriguing story behind the commission, rejection, and rehousing of Jean- Honoré Fragonards Progress of Love, a series of 14 paintings considered by many to be the artists masterpiece. Fragonard (17321806) completed four large canvases for the comtesse du Barrys chateau at Louveciennes, but they were replaced and returned to the artist. In 1790 Fragonard moved them to his cousins house in Grasse, and over the course of the year painted two further large-scale works and 18 additional panels.With 140 colour images of the Fragonard paintings, details, shots of the room, plans, original sketches, and other comparative images, author Colin Bailey explores the commission of the four main panels, their original arrangement at Louveciennes and the possible reasons for their rejection. Equally enthralling is the history of how the paintings were rediscovered in the late 19th century and how they eventually came to The Frick Collection.