Nicolas Lancret

1690 - 1743

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Lancret was one of the chief followers of Watteau in early 18th-century France, producing fêtes galantes and conversation pieces in a style similar to that of Watteau. Like his English contemporary, Hogarth, Lancret profited from prints made after his paintings. Unlike Hogarth, whose work looked at the underside of life, Lancret painted aristocrats engaged in playful pursuits.

Lancret was the son of a coachman; he was trained by Pierre Dulin, a history painter, and then by Claude Gillot, and was received into the Academy in 1719 with a Watteauesque 'Conversation Galante'. After the deaths of Watteau (1721) and Gillot (1722) he received considerable acclaim for his fêtes galantes. He received his first royal commission in 1725.

Related paintings

A Lady in a Garden taking Coffee with some Children

Nicolas Lancret

probably 1742

The Four Ages of Man

Nicolas Lancret

by 1735

The Four Ages of Man: Childhood from The Four Ages of Man

Nicolas Lancret

by 1735

The Four Ages of Man: Maturity from The Four Ages of Man

Nicolas Lancret

by 1735

The Four Ages of Man: Old Age from The Four Ages of Man

Nicolas Lancret

by 1735

The Four Ages of Man: Youth from The Four Ages of Man

Nicolas Lancret

by 1735

The Four Times of Day

Nicolas Lancret

1739-41

The Four Times of Day: Afternoon from The Four Times of Day

Nicolas Lancret

1739-41

The Four Times of Day: Evening from The Four Times of Day

Nicolas Lancret

1739-41

The Four Times of Day: Midday from The Four Times of Day

Nicolas Lancret

1739-41

The Four Times of Day: Morning from The Four Times of Day

Nicolas Lancret

1739