Draft:The Musical Contest (Fragonard)

The Musical Contest is a genre painting created by the French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard, produced between 1754 - 1755. It is an oil on canvas painting with the dimensions of 74 x 62 cm. It can be found in The Wallace Collection, a London museum located in Manchester Square.

History
The Musical Contest is an early painting by Fragonard. It features an elegant young woman posed in an elevated position between two musicians. The woman is draped in lavish clothing and holds a decorative umbrella in one hand titled to the side, shielding her from the bright rays of the sun. She gazes off into the distance, away from the men beside her. The musicians gaze up at her and seem to be vying for her attention by demonstrating their musical talents. The kneeling man to the right holds a flute and the man to the left poses with a musette.

The scene showcases the main characteristics of Rococo paintings through its erotic symbolism. The woman’s position between adoring two suitors heightens her appeal while still maintaining her gracefulness. The umbrella serves to block her fair face from direct light while also allowing for the sunlight to fall upon her breasts, highlighting the sensual, titillating nature of the painting.

The artwork takes inspiration from the pastoral paintings of François Boucher, one of Fragonard’s teachers and key artists influences. It resembles Boucher’s style so closely that it was originally thought to be from the French master instead of his apprentice. The scene reflects one of Boucher’s own works called “Summer Pastoral” (1749), but a few characteristics distinguish both art pieces. Paintings by Fragonard are known to be more theatrical in nature. He uses a warmer palette than Boucher, and his figures are often positioned in much more elaborate, twisting poses.

The painting was acquired by Richard Seymour-Conway, 4th Marquess of Hertford c. 1842. It was later bequeathed to the nation by Lady Wallace in 1897.