Aurora and Cephalus
mid-18th century
Medium
Red chalk over traces of black chalk
Dimensions
10 x 12 3/8 in. (25.4 x 31.5 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Charles S. Sargent and Mrs. Arthur L. Devens, in memory of their mother, Mrs. James W. Markoe, 1962
Accession Number
62.68.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
François Boucher, a figure of the French Rococo in the mid-18th century, masterfully captured the playful sensuality of classical mythology in *Aurora and Cephalus This drawing depicts the dawn goddess Aurora pursuing the handsome hunter Cephalus, a tale from Ovid's *Metamorphoses* where divine desire disrupts mortal life. Boucher's works often celebrated love, beauty, and exuberant ornamentation, reflecting the opulent tastes of Louis XV's court and aristocratic patrons who favored lighthearted, eroticized scenes over the grandeur of Baroque art. Executed in red chalk over traces of black ch...
About the Artist
François Boucher · 1703–1770
François Boucher (1703–1770) stands as the quintessential master of French Rococo painting and the most celebrated decorative artist of the 18th century. Born in Paris to a lace designer, Boucher created a visual language that perfectly embodied the refined taste, sensuality, and elegance of Louis XV's court. His prolific output—encompassing paintings, tapestry designs, theatrical sets, and decora...