Baroque Blog

 The Swing by Jean Honoré Fragonard 

The Swing was painted by Jean Honoré Fragonard in France 1767. Jean created The Swing using oil paint and the rococo art style. Rococo art style was originated in France in the 1720s but wasn't popular til the 1770s. The rococo style depicts beautiful clothing and natural settings. It also creates an illusion of motion and drama. Using the rococo style, Jean used pastel colors such as pink, greens, and hints of red. The bright pink of the woman's dress and the accents of crimson red on the swing, stands out against the cooler greens in the garden. This draws the viewer's attention to the woman on the swing, giving the impression she is the main object of the painting. Along with using pastel colors like the rococo style, Jean also used shapes and textures. The woman swinging was painted with curved lines to accentuate her body. Jean also incorporated swirling diagonal textures that helps direct the eye to a certain object and creates a sense of movement. The swirling diagonals are directed mainly to the woman but also the man laying in the bushing. Looking at them, you can get the feel of motion from the woman swinging and the motion of the man starting to lay down in the greenery. 

This painting illustrates emotions of elegance and playfulness; along with fantasy, sexuality, fun, and disapproval. The Swing inspires awe and was one of the best known arts of the 18th century. Jean Honoré Fragonard created this painting for a gentleman of the court who requested a painting of his mistress being pushed on a swing while he admires her from below. Although we cannot tell who the individuals are, their rich clothing leads us to believe they are of aristocrat status. Most of the painting took place outdoors which symbolized secrecy. Aristocrats viewed the outdoors or gardens as a place to be free from domestic norms and to hide unchaperoned. Many disapproved of these erotic paintings because it represented infidelity, rebellion, and a woman's first sexual experience. These erotic paintings tend to be kept in private rooms called cabinets, where the patrons were able to view the paintings in private for personal pleasure. This was exciting and fun for patrons because it was outside of social norms and they were able to express their sexual desires. The man in the right of the composition represents the husband who is smiling, unaware of the affair. The ropes attached to the swing that the husband is holding represent their bondage and marriage. The man on left of the composition is laying down in the brush, looking up at the woman's undergarments. He is reaching out to her in excitement as her legs are spread open in his direction. This represents a secret love affair between the two. The dog barking to the right of the fountain represents disapproval and warning of infidelity by yapping near the husband's feet. The woman on the swing, represents switching back and forth between both lovers. 

The Swing painting and Jean Honoré Fragonard were very influenced by royalty. In 1747, Fragonard's family moved to Paris and he was apprenticed to a lawyer who thought he should take interest in painting. After Fragonard had finished training in elementary school, it was suggested that he try out for a scholarship called Prix de Rome. This scholarship meant Fragonard would study under the court painter of Louis XV.  In 1761, Fragonard exhibited landscape paintings in Paris that were purchased for King Louis XV. Fragonard was not the first person the unknown gentleman of the court asked to create The Swing painting. Gabriel François Doyen was asked but he refused because he worried it would ruin his reputation as a respectable religious history painter. Even though Doyen refused, he suggested the gentleman ask Fragonard, who at the time, mostly painted for royalty. Fragonard created many paintings for people in court and King Louis XV contributed to his recognition by adding some of Fragonard's paintings to his collection.  

   The Swing because of the painting's eroticism and elegance. The detail incorporated into the painting using the rococo style, colors, and textures is amazing. I would describe this painting as scandalous and intriguing because of how much it was "disapproved" in the 1700s versus what is considered disapproved nowadays.  I love the green palate used in the garden and foliage. Any paintings with natural settings, peak my interest, especially when they're painted in Paris or Europe. The nature in Europe looks very different than anything in the United States has in my opinion. 

Works Cited 

"Bruckbauer, Ashley. “Jean-Honoré Fragonard, the Swing.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/jean-honore-fragonard-the-swing/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024."

"Watson, F.J.B. “Jean-Honoré Fragonard.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 18 Aug. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Honore-Fragonard." 

"Cueva, Janine Mae Dela. “The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard.” ArtRKL, ArtRKL, 12 July 2023, https://artrkl.com/blogs/news/the-swing-by-jean-honore-fragonard."