Jean-Antoine Watteau

Jean-Antoine Watteau was born in 1684 in Valenciennes, France, and became one of the most influential painters of the early 18th century. He is best known for creating the fête galante, a new genre depicting elegant outdoor gatherings filled with music, romance, and leisure. Watteau combined theatrical elegance with a subtle sense of melancholy, giving his scenes emotional depth. His figures often appear caught in quiet moments of reflection rather than action.

Watteau’s style blends elements of Baroque richness with the lighter, more lyrical spirit of Rococo. His delicate brushwork and refined color harmonies had a lasting impact on French painting. Despite his success, he lived a fragile life marked by poor health. Watteau died in 1721 at the age of 36. Though his career was brief, his influence shaped European art for generations and defined the poetic side of the Rococo era.