France / 1720s
Dancers in a Pavilion
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Dancers in a Pavilion as painting (France · 1720s).
Jean-Baptiste Pater was the sole student of the early 18th-century artist Antoine Watteau (1684–1721). Upon Watteau's death, Pater finished some of his teacher's compositions and copied them for reproduction.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as oil on canvas and credits Jean-Baptiste Pater (French, 1695–1736).
The museum's collection notes: Jean-Baptiste Pater was the sole student of the early 18th-century artist Antoine Watteau (1684–1721). Upon Watteau's death, Pater finished some of his teacher's compositions and copied them for reproduction. Due to this association, Pater was in the position to capitalize on the popularity of the fête galante genre invented by Watteau. This genre was based on the fêtes held by the aristocracy to escape the tedium of life at the French court, and depict the same amusements: conversation, music, dance, and the pursuit of love. Dancers in a Pavilion is a pastiche of several works by Watteau. The couple in this painting is most likely performing
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtDancers in a PavilionOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.