Watteau Reinvigorating the Baroque Period of Art

Career Known as the artist who was able to bring the Baroque period back into the general public, Jean-Antoinne Watteau was a Frenchman from Valenciennes. In 1703, Watteau began to apprentice under Claude Gillot, who introduced him an Italian style of painting called, “commedia dell’ arte.” After six years of apprenticing under Gillot, Watteau was rejected by the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture as he tried to apply for a French government scholarship. He applied again in 1712, and was finally accepted as a full time member. After working for five years on the reception piece in order to gain full acceptance to the Academy, Watteau delivered one of his masterpieces, Pilgrimage to Cythera. Throughout his life, much of his work was displayed in upscale places for gathering and entertainment called Salons. Ultimately, Watteau died of what was supposedly tuberculosis at the age of 36.

The Signboard of Gersaint 1721 Oil on canvas Was Cut in the middle by Gersain Both halves were mended back together in the twentieth century. Depicts the Art gallery of Edme- Francios Gersaint

Pierrot Oil on canvas The painting is unclear of what it is depicting The figure in the middle is a sad clown Can be described as enigmatic