The Setting of the Sun (1752) by Francois Boucher

The Setting of the Sun - Francois Boucher - 1752

Artwork Information

TitleThe Setting of the Sun
ArtistFrancois Boucher
Date1752
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions261 x 318 cm
Art MovementRococo
Current LocationWallace Collection, London, UK

About The Setting of the Sun

“The Setting of the Sun” is a mythological painting by Francois Boucher, completed in 1752. This oil on canvas creation is an exemplar of the Rococo movement, measuring 261 x 318 cm. The artwork is housed in the Wallace Collection in London, United Kingdom, where it contributes to the rich collection of fine and decorative arts.

The artwork itself is a dynamic and sensuous representation that is characteristically Rococo in its depiction of classical mythology using light colors, fluid lines, and a sense of movement. Boucher has infused the scene with a soft, dreamlike quality that showcases his skill in handling light and composition. The central figure, likely representing Apollo, the sun god, is depicted transitioning to end the day, emphasizing the mythological theme of the ‘setting sun.’ Drapery sweeps energetically around the figures, enhancing the sense of motion and the ethereal atmosphere.

Surrounding the central deity are celestial beings and other mythological characters, including nymphs and cherubs, which are rendered with delicate and graceful features that are typical of Rococo art. These figures appear to be engaging with one another and with elements of nature, such as the frothy waves below, which further integrate the theme of the natural cycle of day and night. The use of soft pastel tones and a masterful composition of intertwined forms serve to captivate the viewer and convey a sense of the divine interplay between the earthly and the celestial realms.

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