The April 15 Friday Special – Helena on Fragonard’s The Swing

Here’s the link: https://www.wallacecollection.org/art/collection/collection-highlights/les-hazards-heureux-de-lescarpolette-swing/#&gid=1&pid=1

Art appreciation, art criticism doesn’t come any more enriching than what Helena does here. The detail – the frayed rope, the rouged cheek of the lover, the coarse gesture the young woman makes with her right hand, the reaction of the little dog (I hadn’t even seen the dog previously), the puttis, the “colour-connections” – it’s a tour de force. Layer after layer – e.g., what we learn about the recent restoration of the painting and what that’s brought to light.

Just get the image of the painting up on the screen and go where Helena takes you. It’s the best use you’ll make of an hour this week, maybe this month or this year.

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