This Painting Isn't As Innocent As It Seems. Here's Why.
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- čas přidán 13. 08. 2022
- This piece is called The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. A famous 18th century French Rococo painting that changed the trajectory of his career and ended up being his greatest masterpiece. It was a private commission that he was never supposed to create in the first place, but we're glad he did! Although it looks light-hearted and playful, things aren't always as they seem. There are many hidden symbols and meanings in this painting that make it so interesting to look at. Thank you for watching!
#art #rococo #arthistory #classicart #fineart
Credits:
Cloud special effect from Vecteezy
This painting is even included in children's art books because most people don't know what's going on.
One of my art teachers had this as a poster on her wall. Thing is, she was a bit of a rebel spirit, and I think she knew EXACTLY what was going on, but was smirking behind her hand the whole time.
And in the movie Frozen for a second/ a disney version 🤭
I am pretty sure there is Tangled concept art based on this painting
@@miguelcruz2941 Ooo that sounds perfect, i can already see it since it makes so much sense
That's like that painting of an Ancient Egyptian lady doing her makeup. You almost never see what ELSE she's doing.
If you understand historical clothing, this is incredibly scandalous. A woman wore a shift, a plain gown, a pair of stays, (modern day corset), petticoats, and finally a skirt and bodice.The 2020 Emma with Ana Taylor Joy has a scene where she warms herself at the fire by lifting her dress and she is not wearing panties. Underwear as we know it was not used, It would have made it very difficult to use the restroom. Therefore the man looking up her skirt would have a direct view of her nether regions, especially with her legs akimbo. Ankles were not a big deal, skirts lengths were above the ankle, at the calf.
Thank you. That was going to be my point. Women simply did not wear pantaloons during this period. And once they worn, they were split. Covering of the Neither Region 😁 didn't happen until the 20th century.
Wow!
Yup, the line of sight is not on the ankle.
I didn't know this but it surprised me that the whole video doesn't mention the flash of thigh.
THANK YOU!! Came to the comments just to say this. He wasn’t looking at her ankle.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate how realistic that dress is? The shading, texture and depth is just phenomenal
Fr!!!
i took 30 years to learn how to paint like that, how's that for a moment!
Fragonard has always considered (even by himself) a licentious painter. This painting's original title is "Les Hasards heureux de l'escarpolette", which means "The sweet dangers of the swing". Quite self-explanatory, to me 😜😜
A better translation would be "the happy coincidents of the swing", meaning the short views under the skirt by hazard.
But he was painting after Franсois Boucher, it's like considering Playboy "licentious" while it's next to Hustler
@@Conserpov Thank you for naming François Boucher, whom I didn't know about. A wonderful painter, I like him very much, beautiful usage of colour and light. But apart from a few female nudes, I couldn't find anything really "licentious": am I missing something? Well, the nudes are clearly more 'hard' than Fragonard's paintings, but there is so little eroticism in them, no tension, just naked skin and no story behind it (unlike Fragonard's 'the swing', 'the lock', 'the stolen kiss', etc.).
@@stefanoc_1965
A lot of Boucher's paintings are very suggestive anyway, and most nudes were clearly meant to be equivalent to modern Playboy centerfolds.
I didn't see any backstory as complex as in 'the swing', but I imagine something like 'La Voluptueuse' would be scandalous if displayed publicly even in 1880-s (the title might as well be "I came").
Thank you for providing the name of the painting and a translation. Very helpful!
I get why people would like it at a glance. Its colors are soft yet bright and attractive. There's this weird effect of everything looking cloudy and flowing (like the trees in the background and her gown). It is very dynamic as far as old paintings go. And tbh this interpretation just added another fascinating and engaging layer to the painting.
I think it's a beautiful painting myself, and the weird backstory to it doesn't take away my appreciation for it. I love the way the woman's dress is painted as it looks as though it's practically made of light. The only thing I find slightly unnerving is the background - it looks dark and gloomy almost as though they're in a haunted forest or something, and the glowing lady is unaware of the danger that lies ahead. What's also weird is that to me is that the man pushing the swing sort of looks like he's half dead - he's all grey and featureless 💀
I prefer the banana Taped to the Wall... Now That's Art!
@@Cherrycreamsoda1 well I happen to like haunted forests so its honestly a plus for me xD
The colours too compliment each other very beautifully
I agree. While the lecherous look on the young man's face is obvious, but to me only after a second glance, I have always thought the young woman had, in a fit of teasing, kicked the young man down. Or, maybe because he 'was' taking a peak. The old gent in the back ground is either her dad, her old husband, or a servant guiding the young "lady's" swing. Okay, I'm 73, so I'm not exactly innocent or ignorant. I just don't always see the obvious. Well, I don't always look for the tawdry, either. I had an interesting 'awakening' after listening to the narrator. Perhaps I'll search for more enlightening descriptions of the world of art.
Fun fact: The painting inspired Tangled’s aesthetics and artstyle way before it was referenced in Frozen 😄
OMG FIRST ONE TO COMMENT UWU
Wow😍
Yes bc when I was like 6 I saw that painting at frozen
@@Moonhyrg why r u on CZcams then. Ur still a kid
Cool
How could you miss the man looking up her dress!? To me it’s obvious and hilarious that it’s been seen as carefree . This woman knows exactly what’s going on !
Oh I was a kid when I first saw this one, and no I couldn't tell that some dude was looking up her skirt.
She's the star of the painting, and seeing how carefree and whimsical she looks on that swing symbolized something that remains true to this very day..
She was free, and enjoying herself. And you can tell that without even realizing that it's sexual freedom that's actually being depicted here!
And that's why Fragonard is a good artist. He captured the feeling, as opposed to the salaciousness 😎
So sad that I actually read a comment trying to say that this was a powerless woman in a time of no freedoms. She definitely holds all the cards here.
@@Firenmage433 even though women during the time barely could do anything,they took advantage of the things they could do
a child that knows nothing better can think whatever they want by the time and if they lived long enough to understand what really has been going on and how bullshit this gender inequality was its too late and if its socially accepted to treat a whole another human being as either a sex venting machine or a brainless child producer while simultaneously trying to prevent them from education, because that would the societal change to democracy and emancipation where everyone at least should get a chance in forming their own opinion and participate in improving the world
@@pragatiprasad5443 Wheres the subservience? Looks more like cuckoldery if anything. Woman of high society was and is highly privileged.
Honestly, the first time I saw this painting, I giggled and blushed, because I immediately noticed how naughty it was. I’m surprised so many people thought it innocent. Great job analyzing all aspects of it. Love this channel! 😊💕
Did you know that this painting was in the movie Frozen? They put the painting in on purpose. I didn't think much of it at the time.
I call bs
@@annoyingcat5328its actually not that hard to interpret if you have a brain lol
@@annoyingcat5328Whatever you say smoothe brain.
Ew
Disney uses a lot of hidden symbolism so I think they knew exactly what they were doing in frozen and used the painting as reference to the story’s upcoming love triangle , especially as it’s referenced during the song where she’s wanting to seduce a man, some of the other paintings she jumps into are a bit questionable too
I agree. The love triangle in frozen was clearly not as overtly sexual and, nowadays, seeing a woman’s thigh is not as shocking, but it was at the time.
I think to be the husband in the picture would be pretty humiliating.
@@Saffron-sugar Yeahhh… uh the thigh ain’t what that man is looking at 👀
@@Saffron-sugar back then the women didnt wear underwear so he was looking at some cooch, (as the commenter said above the comment section)
Exactly. Disney has just as much if not more hidden meaning so this painting reference is right up their alley.
Not as innocent as they seem at first glance.
@@DeathnoteBB can you stop, i dont think anybody actually care to know what men are looking at on a woman's body.
The use of this painting in Frozen is quite brilliant.
Anna was engaged to Hans but fell in love with Kristoff at the same time.
Also, in "The First Time in Forever" she was singing about finding the "special one."
I do not believe that this was done unintentionally.
I'm looking for this comment!
Crazy to think id already seen it without knowing
czcams.com/video/TCSUKIhjevo/video.html
I agree
Yes
I truly admire people who can interpret paintings with depth, I mean they have a way of seeing things beyond from what we see on the surface.
i remembered falling in love with the swing when i saw it in my art textbook for the first time. for me, it was the most mystical piece i had ever saw and then
my art teacher told us the 'malicious' story behind this piece-
I'm so sorry 😂😂
I always thought it was obvious she was deliberately tossing her shoe to her secret lover. I never knew anyone thought it was innocent. I also didn't know the commissioner was a lech and I certainly hadn't considered the nature of Georgian garb in respect to underwear 😅
Gonna be honest, I just never even noticed the guys lol
He was looking up her skirts
@@carlycrays2831 yeah I never saw them, I was shocked to see them 😂, this panting has now become creepy to me lol
I honestly thought she pushed him into the bush.
Well to be fair I have never seen the whole painting, I’ve only seen the woman on the swing especially when people make parodies of the painting
I never even noticed the people in the back. I genuinely always just admired how carefree and happy the woman looked. As if this was one of her most liberating moments where she can engage in play in such a restrictive society. I used to see her flinging her shoe as a rejection to society’s constrictions. Loved this video and I’m so glad I was able to finally notice the other people in the painting as well as hearing your critical analysis 💖
Your interpretation of the painting is very beautiful 💜
@@rahmanoyshi thank you, I appreciate your kind words
Maybe why the artist is genius blending in the rest of the story as a way its\ needs be uncovered if one just glimpse d it’d make them feel,happy cuz it seem like an innocent scene the women bein carefree but loved
I agree with you I just thought it was just a happy painting the girl carefree
Sureeee.
How dare the “restrictive society” prohibit cheating on your spouse and spreading your legs for random men.
DONUT.
Fragonard is genius...The Stolen Kiss is my favorite, the way he captures the fabrics pfffff!!!. I absolutely adore his paintings. He truly knows how to captivate with his playful style. I first encountered his work many years ago, within the pages of some art books my family has.
You are, by far, my favorite content creator on CZcams. Your knowledge of art history is beyond, your deep dives are fascinating and you are absolutely hysterical. Your stuff is SO good, seriously.
Wow! Thank you so much :)
💯
I don’t know. I thought this painting was a lot of things but not a love story. I mostly adored the use of color. The men dressed in blue blending into the natural green foliage and then an amazing contrast of pink to center the attention on the lady swinging. I love this painting
I always thought this is a definition of a woman's love and desire for flowers as that's the sign of love a man giving flowers to his love that's why the girl is in pretty color and the men not so much. She basically represents a pretty pink flower or rose❤🧡💛💚💙💜🌷🌺🌹💐
Pp
❤️
It's Susanna from the bible.
Oh wow you have an amazingly unique ability to see color...
Never did I ever think I'd find myself so interested in the stories depicted in paintings, you've really opened a whole new world for me
Wow! Same for me :)
Samee
Fun fact, this is the Bible story of Susanna. Go read it and see what happens to those two creepy men in the garden.
@@kingdommomlife4441 ohh I'll check it out! I love finding new interests like this, thank you!!
Same!!
This is insane! I didn’t even know more than half of the small little details you pointed out! This painting is so beautiful, yet so deceiving at the same time!
I love classical art such as this. But what I love even more are the "Easter eggs" that playful/spiteful/heretical artists chose to "hide in plain sight" within their works. Love your channel and content. You've earned a new subscriber. Cheers.
Surprising that the very obvious symbols are being overlooked here. Yes, the swing between the husband and the lover is calling into question the fidelity of the marriage and the shoe being kicked off or lost at the peak of the swing is certainly suggestive of a carefree bearing. I would go further and point out the 'back and forth' motion of the swing is quite intentional and the very shape, folds and colour choice of the hem of that dress is even more overt.
We tend to imagine that people of bygone eras were extremely prudish and and innocent but they were the same as we are now.
Ooh Arr!
Excellent analysis. And the fact that the lover is hiding in a bush has a Freudian meaning. I’ll let you guess.
Nah, I always knew people back then were freaks. Religious freaks, but freaks 😩
First thing I noticed was the shape of the dress and it hinted perfectly at what her lover was ACTUALLY looking at. It's so obvious I'm surprised she missed it.
She’s lettin the lover in between the sheets only to make the husband think he’s in control with the rope but it’s breaking and he falling more into the darkness unknown
It really is a beautiful painting, there's no denying that... I've always found it very unsettling myself, even without knowing the meaning behind it. Somehow the idea of the guys half hidden away and either partially, or fully hiding/standing in shadows creeped me out more than I enjoyed looking at the painting's beauty.
Same. I thought I was the only one who got a weird feeling when seeing this painting without even knowing the meaning... I completely agree with you.
It’s creepy in regard to him encouraging her deceit towards her husband, but she is a full participant in him being there; she is flirting with him, and quite aware of his presence. It’s why she’s on the swing.
I found it unsettling because of the way the guy in the bush looked at the woman. It doesn't look romantic, but lustful to me.
Now that I know the meaning of the painting it just made it even more creepy to me. Lol.
they’re not hiding at all lmao
Same. I think it’s the mad eyes.
Not everything is always as it seems. I respect the artist (and artists in general) for being able to portray a lot in just one painting and for fleshing out the hidden, darker sides of people. Paintings really are stories themselves. It's so fascinating to learn about these things. I love it. After watching two of your videos, I immediately subscribed. Thank you.
This is an excellent interpretation. My first take on this painting--and I'm not an art major--was unease. Too many dark places with questionable goings-on. You have pointed these out so well. Yet the painting is quite a drama of subtlety; the tiny cues work to set the mood without calling attention to themselves. I especially appreciate the frayed rope, telling us that all is coming down, and soon. Also, note the anchor points for the two ropes, there at the top of the trees. The trunk is bare at both points, twisted and ugly. And rope in a tree offers quite a message.
I KNEW NOTHING UNTIL I DECIDED TO DO A PRESENTATION ON THIS PAINTING FOR SCHOOL AND THATS HOW I FOUND OUT HOW "raunchy" THIS ACTUALLY IS. AND I HAD TO KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE DOING A FULL ANALYSIS OF THIS PAINTING IN FRONT OF MY ENTIRE ART HISTORY CLASS and it was hard (to keep a straight face) I tell you. Very very hard 😂😂
Me when I had to do a presentation on hyenas for zoology. 🤣
Kudos to you to actually presenting it with a straight face. I could never 😭
Hmm, very very hard?
@@ChimeraActual Legend says it's still hard...
? Raunchy
Sure
I don't know what kind of mystical fairy garden you came from, but you are such a breath of fresh air among artsy CZcams channels :D. I love your videos, I love that you post them often enough, and I hope you get at least a few million subscribers because you certainly deserve them!
Agreed
🤣
I have a fair idea.
As a side note, women also didn't wear any underwear, knickers till the 1850 due to the ever increasing size of the hooped dress at the time.
Awesome video. Thanks.
I have studied and loved this painting, due to how subtly risque it was... and never one time noticed that little white dog. It just blends into the flowers!
This is one of my favourite paintings! Thank you for doing a video on it. Perhaps it is very basic of me, but I primarily like it for it's colours. I adore the way the pink of the dress practically glows in the verdant shade of the garden.
It is very well done. The lighting is just amazing!
no reason is too basic my friend, we like what we like it’s pretty
Yes! I love the shift in green tones from the background to the foreground.
I like it for the colors (the pink is dazzling-you can barely take your eyes off it) and the lighting-there’s that shaft of sunlight from the upper left on to the woman and everything else, particularly her husband, is in the cool shadows.
The whole period was about being light both in color and heart, playful, and super aesthetic. It's contrasting to the really deep, dark, and heavy Baroque period C:
I read a book called "the book of courtesans" which made the claim that this is a picture of one of the most popular courtesans at the time with her then patron (who the writer names) being the man hiding below her. I forget their names at the moment, unfortunately.
The man in the background might still be her husband, or just a servant.
This is one of my favorite paintings, partly for its scandalous nature
When I first saw it, I also thought it was a picture of a famous courtesan, or possibly a royal mistress. I thought it was her servant pulling the swing for her and I thought it was a fanboy sneaking for a look below and her giving him more of a show than he could have dreamed of. Tossing him a slipper so that he might take it home as a memoir.
But I like this explanation too
I have the book. The passage starts on page 150. It says that it was commissioned by Monsieur de Saint Julien. It doesn’t name the courtesan, or say that it was a famous courtesan at all. It just addresses her as his mistress.
@@blo872 THANK YOU! And thanks for correcting me about the courtesan!
@@mimisler you’re welcome. I had to look. I was like omg which courtesan?!
Or the one pushing the swing might very well be a bishop with a lover. Not entirely unheard of in any time period.
You shed light on paintings that had a story to tell, but someone like you needs to tell it. Thank you for sharing!
There’s so much detail in this lil swing painting
I am not an appreciator of art, but you are really opening my eyes to look more at the nuances of the detail. Thank you very much.
Vicki it really is something worth pursuing. I ended up with my main degree being art history. When you take a pretty picture, like this, and look at it in its historical context it can change dramatically. It's quite a lot of fun, plus it helps make a prior Era come alive for you.
I was just about to say this too! I'm nowhere near anything art related but THIS is so cool
I love the painting except for the eyes. They eyes in this piece are just down right creepy. I always wondered if the artist just didn’t do eyes well or if he means for them to look creepy. In his other works, again, there are some creepy eyes but then some are just ok.
If you look at other painting from the era, it was very common to paint the eyes that way. It was fashion.
If I remember correctly it was about looking young and brighteyed.
@@SIC647 Most of the artwork from that era did not reflect googly eyes. In fact, realism was very much into its own. Take a look at these artists’ works: Delacroix, Corot, Bierstadt, Fuseli, Delaroche, Waldmuller and Prodhon.
In this case I feel like it's on purpose, to show infatuation, like she said the guy in the picture is practically foaming at the mouth, but that's just what I get out of it😅
I think that's intentional.
@@channelchen if all it took for that was a glimpse.... Then he definitely was a minute man.
I love how you analyze these paintings!! This is my favorite so far!
I found this exact video years ago in Middle school- I’m now a freshman in college doing a project on it for an Art History class. Your video was the first thing that came to my mind when we were given the assignment, so I immediately decided to choose it. Thank you!
I wasn't that impressed by the painting at first, but as more and more details were shown I was completely amazed by the storytelling. It's amazing how much you can tell with a single picture. Also, it's only my take but her shoe is headed straight to the angel's face. Would that be a sign that her secret is about to be blown?
That's an interesting analogy
Imo, it's more like the shoe is falling towards her lover while the other shoe looks like it's gonna fall on the swing back to her husband. I interpreted it kinda like a show of her being half-hearted to them both and being immersed on fun of it all.
@@Bree420 woah this is a good one
@Snowbelle I thought the same
It was my understanding that she was kicking off her shoe at the statue who was named "Discretion." That's what I read somewhere.
I find it hilarious that 'The Swing' was scandalous for showing the ladies leg/ankle but the work (7:11) by the same artist shows a bare breasted woman and was totally acceptable.
It wasn't scandalous because of ankles (that is a myth) but because ladies back then did not wear anything other than skirts... No panties. He's looking at her hoo-ha. :P
It's because he was looking up her skirt. Women did not wear pantaloons until much later in history.
totally agree with the other two posts re no underwear but there is another point. The nudes were during renaissance to mid 19c were in classical settings. Manet's petit dejeunee sur l'herbs caused a scandal as the the men were in contemporary costume and the woman naked. Greek mythical boobs fine, contemporary boobs in contemporary settings = outrage
Ikr?? ick
Iirc Karolina's vid on the subject of beauty standards along history, breasts weren't as big of a deal back then as they are now (depending on the specific time period ofc). Lots of portraits have em hanging out. Legs were more scandalous because of all the skirts. Idk I might just be talking off the top of my head here.
As for me, everything is simple and clear. Thank you very much
In the ‘70’s, I bought a smoker’s stone at Oz, a head-shop in Tulsa. It has this picture on it, but it never occurred to me to look it up. I still have it!
The heel is also a nice detail. While reading an analysis on Olympia (Manet), i saw that one of the things that add to the sensual aura of the woman is that she's only wearing one heel, which references the world of sex work and fetish. So this woman kicking up her heel carelessly isn't just a playful act, it's a reference to her sexual life
The idea of drinking champagne from a womans shoe was invented in this era as well. Yes.
@@gnarbeljo8980 ew what💀
@@gnarbeljo8980 The OG foot fetish eh 😂
I believe the "drinking Champagne from a shoe" is a 20th century custom.
This explanation makes the painting even better! I like how the lady is the only one who is brightly colored, while everything else is muted greens, blues, and grays. The lighting is fantastic.
So fabulous! I’ve always loved this whimsical, romantic painting. Learning more context makes it even more interesting! Thanks for your fantastic work!
This painting, was in my Art History texts, when I earned my BFA, years back.
A very fine analysis of color, position, symbolism, and scandal.
OK I keep seeing the curved heels that emerged in the 18th century referred to as "kitten heels". They are NOT kitten heels (from the 1950s-60s) which are short and spiky, they are COURT heels. Makes sense, right?
I thought kitten heels were short and substantial.
Kittenheels are called something like Pennyheels in germany because of thier size
@@sunfloweralpacas according to what I just read, kitten heels are officially a type of stiletto heels. Just super short ones.
Still looks painful AF to walk on...
Please read at least three books of the Bible. The first book of each testament and one you chose yourself. As you do practice forgiveness. It’s an important step most miss,.
I love old paintings like this regardless if its sketchy or not. The flowing cloth on her dress the way the hands are drawn, the flowers.
Agree, now it’s all just “minimalistic” or contemporary garbage
@@throwawaw5129 or looks like it was done in 5 seconds with no heart put into it!
@@throwawaw5129 thats high “art” common art is beautiful
At a museum in Canada, I saw several paintings from an artist I believe was named Poole. The subjects were usually nude toddlers warming themselves at fireplaces after a bath. I asked a docent if they were considered shocking or pornographic. He said that in that time toddlers were not considered sexual objects, but nude adults would have been. Times change.
My favorite of your presentations (so far). Loved learning about a favorite. Thank you.
The ankle thing is a myth. People saw ankles all the time. Especially on lower-class people where wearing long skirts was just impractical and made working hard. The scandal comes from the fact that with the underwear worn at the time (aka only shifts and petticoats) the guy can see straight up to her private parts.
It actually depends on the time period and where you lived at the time! (Yes, as well as class, but in that case the elite tried their very hardest to cover up that ankle to not be immodest and dirty like the poor, right?) And even the lower class women during the 1700s would often be seen with socks and higher boots of some sort to cover up their ankles; in the 1800s though it was more common to see working ladies using men's shoes :) Haha I hope this makes sense (Note: Everything I just mentioned was American History, simply used as an example)
Also! In Europe, by the time of the painting, drawers were already commonly being used for women, they kinda looked like poofy pants LOL
The ankles thing IS NOT a myth.
Women of low status got big, brushed, tanned ankles, because the work was hard. It was not that kind of ankles that was considered erotic.
It was high society women ankles.
@@PetiteLicorne check out Nicole Rudolph's video on it!
@@--lanibani--4492 Do you really not know that drawers were open at the crotch? When closed-crotch “panties” were introduced for women around the beginning of the twentieth century, they were vilified (sometimes from pulpits) as immoral and obscene.
@@--lanibani--4492 yes drawers were common in that era but they were split drawers- basically the crotch seam was not sewn shut so if her skirts moved just right the man in the bush below could very well be seeing everything.
7:45 maybe that’s why it was referenced at frozen, because things aren’t exactly as they seem. Like the way prince Hans approach Anna with hidden intentions.
I love your narrations with the fun sound effects! I'm learning about classic art pieces beyond their surface stories
wow, never deep dive this painting but now that I discover your interpretation of the painting, i kinda love it more. I always find myself drown and fascinated by discovering things or the truth.
I got to see this painting (and Frans Hals' The Laughing Cavalier!) up close in person back in April at The Wallace Collection when I was in London. It's so beautiful in person, it had just been recently cleaned. The technique used to highlight the leaves in the trees is one of my favorite parts of it. It's also fun when you realize how "scandalous" it is/was with the clothing and the man lying down getting a view up her skirt. Love this one. At the time, The Wallace Collection was hosting a Disney exhibit called Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts. It focused on how the French Rococo style had influenced several of their films like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast so this painting was on display with other French Rococo objects and Disney sketches and art that was inspired by it. There was art from Tangled and Frozen that was inspired by this painting. If I remember correctly, I think it was for Beauty and the Beast where animators spent a lot of time at The Wallace Collection gallery studying the artifacts and design and paintings from the French Rococo time period.
Not surprising, Disney was a pervert, ( if you do your research).
A print of this painting hung above my husband's maiden aunt's fireplace. She was very prim. I had a giggle every time I saw it... if only she knew!
This is a very beautiful painting. I could look at it for hours.
I think the interpretation of the elements in the painting is brilliant ! So much hidden in the background . The painting is very well done and the colours are vibrant . I remember the older people having such art , when I was a child , mostly French art and sculptures . Some of the sculptures were business in the front and party in the back and I was always embarrassed and taken back by the sculptures because it was very easy to tell their meaning .
The Vatican doesn’t even try to hide their debauchery. Their statues are of blatant pedophilia, bestiality, and self-pleasuring… amongst other things. And they have the audacity to claim to be Christian. They are counterfeits, and not even very good ones. Their paganism is far more evident. But it does prove that there’s a reason why Rome went to all the trouble to make a good counterfeit… if you can call it a good counterfeit. One never makes a counterfeit unless the original is quite valuable.
Just want to say all your videos are incredibly well constructed. Your quick, whimsical little added details fit so perfectly. I’m actually beginning, from watching your videos, to see a lot of art completely differently than I used to. And I like that.
Great overview. I always appreciated this piece for the artists ability to express a juxtaposition between innocence and flirtatiousness and scandal.
However, I’m sure the film producers of Frozen knew exactly what they were doing if they referenced this in the animated film, which, btw, I never saw. He power of suggestion is real.
Now I am hooked on stories behind such artwork. I love it!
This has been one of my favorite paintings for a long time, but i have never actually looked into the meaning and history behind it. Thank you so much for this analysis!
Also, dogs are loyal, meaning that she isn't loyal. Wow, there are so many hidden messages in this art! I love it! >
Dogs are loyal? They'll hump anything that moves (unlike wolves, which mate for life) and will kiss the butt of anyone who gives them food and scratches. Why do you think men are often referred to as "dogs"?
@@englishatheart Ok. But dogs are usually associated with the word "loyalty."
@@englishatheart Careful, your feminism/misandry is showing.
Fascinating analysis. Thank you for posting.
Wow you broke this whole painting down! That's amazing 👏 😍
I remember liking this when I took art history some time ago. The colors and subject are so appealing and a swing alludes to kinetic movement which seems pretty fun for a painting! This period is leading up to the murderous end of the French Revolution, all the decadence oozes thru the canvas.
1:36 check out the painter's cheeky little face like he knew what he was doing😏
his paintings are all so pretty and beautiful!!!!! i love the colors he uses
The way you explained it was very good. It was as if I was reading a mystery novel and new twists were being uncovered slowly. Thank you.
As an art lover and as an artist, I truly love your channel and am learning so much from you. Thank you for your insightful and charming commentaries! They are well paced, informative, just the right length and very accessible for novice art admirers and the more educated alike. Bravo!
The first time I saw an image of the painting, (art history text book), my attention immediately went to the peeping tom and where he was looking. So, when I saw the nod in Frozen some time later, my brain went "What the fu..."
That is exactly what I thought. A childrens movie!!!!!!
These videos make me miss the best parts of art history classes! Lovely! Always loved the softness and playfulness of this piece. 🥰 And how could we forget those evocative little Puttini?
These videos are so well done. Beautiful and inspiring.. 👏👍 Thank you!
I love the narrator who does an excellent job of putting so many elements together.
4:50 : "she seems confident...and at ease"
Absolutely love this channel, this painting and your analysis. Keep up the great work.
This is one of my favorite paintings! Thank you for making this!!
I always thought I was too dumb for art and ''wouldn't get it'' (still true mostly, I felt so lost going to that art museum one time lol), but I love this piece and the story it's telling. Thank you for this lovely video
5:45 I have actually been searching for this word, thank you so much
3:06 "the ankle is what's scandalous" okay but you can see her thigh too
Thank you for the Playlist. At least I have lessons being learned in order. Focus guaranteed. Thankyou. Great work Sir. Michael.
I absolutely love this. I hope you will do longer ones in the future.
I think Fragonard’s work looks like baroque music sounds and I can almost smell the leaves and the black jade perfume. It’s so much like a dream, even though the painting is about misbehaving, it’s hard not to like all of the figures.
There’s another one of his paintings, Reverie, I believe it’s called. It’s part of his “progress of love“ series. That’s all a bit naughty.
This style of this painting is called rococo or late baroque popular in the 1700’s
3:34 Our teacher told us that is her servant lol
Lmao😂
Idk
Art is great because it can be interpreted individually
This is fascinating! I have seen photos of this painting many times, and just realized that I had never truly looked at it!
Delightful content... and delivery. Perfect voice for this subject in particular. Thank you.
I love these breakdown of these romantic/innocent looking paintings/art pieces.
I am awful for seeing hidden details in things. So this is amazing! 👍
It's incredible how you were able to derive so much meaning from this painting, and turn it into such an enjoyable video even for someone who doesn't care about art.
I love these videos they remind of french class in middle school where the teacher taught us about all these painting and their meanings which we did not get at first and he starts breaking it off little by little💕💕💕💕
I definitely liked this painting before, but the subtext is so rich! Makes me really appreciate this work.
This is fascinating- takes me back to my art history days in college where we would deep dive into every detail about works of art. Thank you for this!
The most poignant symbol I find is the frayed rope that indicates that either the bonds of matrimony are coming apart, as the narrator suggests, or else that her little deceitful escapades will soon come to an abrupt and very painful ending. I guess in which direction she falls when that happens is left up to our imaginations. Will it be towards her husband, or will she fall towards her lover? Or will she go strait down? That depends on many factors, doesn't it?
This is one of the reasons I took on an Art History minor. I personally can’t stand the cotton candy frills of Rococo, but this is hilarious. It’s fascinating to have a peek inside the minds of people during a past age through art .
I LUV ITS FULLNESS!!! SO MUCH DETAIL I CAN DREAM OF WALKING INTO THE PAINTING SO MUCH TO SEE AND FEEL CAPTIVATED BY TO WALK INTO THE GARDEN AND BEYOND!!!
Thanks Art Deco!! I enjoyed that!!
i really thought something was off about this picture and thought it was boring but now knowing its story i can just silently admire this pure work of art
When I was a kid maybe 9 or 10 I saw this painting on a magazine and I was mesmerized, I was like "She's tossing her tiny shoe" "She must be having fun" etc. and when I'm getting older I realized that the painting has a hidden meaning to it. 😁
I lol'd all throughout this video. Thanks! Amazing use of contrasting colors.
Stumbled on this channel because of the painting. I've always liked it and really appreciate your presentation. I'm a fan of European history associated with aristocracy and royalty and the like. As you were pointing out the not so obvious artistry embedded in this painting, it immediately gave me the King Henry VIII/Catherine Howard/Culpepper/Lady Rochford vibe. Old King, young flirtatious wife, young handsome lover and match making secret keeping not really a friend watching it all happen. All free and fun, but soon tragedy as depicted by the two onlookers. Really enjoyed this.
OMG....I have always loved this 'innocent and romantic" painting. I had NO IDEA of the true meaning. Thank you so much!!!
I am very fascinated by this! Hearing the backstory of one of the most beautiful "troll" commissions I've ever seen, is simply amazing! Great video and now I'm subscribed.
Styles and fashion change but people don't, Thank you I love art even more when it is explained as you have done.
You're my newest channel and I'm going to binge watch everything you've done. I adore your work!
Obsessed with this even more. It's a very powerful yet feminine piece.
Feminine form !
Yet?
@@shalinitiwariscorner5210 I think it's feminine lust... As well as masculine.
Powerful YET feminine? I did not know they were opposite to each other.