FRANÇOIS BOUCHER PARIS 1703 - 1770 PARIS

A Contre-Épreuve attributed to François Boucher, Louis XV’s court painter. He was also engraver and decorator of the French Rococo, whose gallant world he presented in lascivious, mythological, allegorical and erotic motifs. Contre-Épreuve - a technique often used during the 18th century by artists such as Watteau and Fragonard. Usually a moistened blank paper was placed over a mostly in red chalk (ruddle) drawing (as our drawing) and then pressed in a printing press. The process was not only stabilizing and protecting the original painting from smudging, it was also a good aid if an engraving was envisaged. During the 18th century Contre-Épreuves counted as independent artworks and had the same value as the original drawing.