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Charlotte Mason Picture Study Aid Antoine Watteau

Antoine Watteau

from The Little Woodcutter, and Anthony Watteau: Tales of Youthful Genius by Antonio Allegri

(The following scene takes place in Paris after Watteau relocated there
from his hometown of Valenciennes where he was unable to receive

adequate art instruction. He has been doing miscellaneous art-related

jobs in Paris since his arrival, barely scraping enough by on which to

live.)
ONE day Antony Watteau could not even get six francs for a

picture that he had just finished. He had taken it to two picture-
dealers, who had refused it; and at first he hesitated about taking it to a
Painter
third. At last, however, he made bold, and entered the shop; but the

dealer was not alone—a young man was talking to him. Antony stood a
Birth: October 10,
moment upon the threshold of the shop, with that charming
1684
embarassment [sic] on his countenance which so well suits youth. He
Valenciennes, France
turned his picture backwards and forwards in his hand, not liking to

expose himself to another refusal before a stranger, when the shop
Death: July 18, 1721
keeper called out to him: “What do you want, young man?”
Nogent-sur-Marne,
Antony was then obliged to advance. He presented his picture,
France
and murmured some words, by which the merchant guessed rather

than understood his motive for standing there.
Style: Rococo
“Ah, this picture is to be sold! and you are a painter are you?”
said the dealer, scarcely looking at the picture, but examining the young artist well.

“Yes, sir,” said he, blushing up to his eyes.

“And what is your name?” asked the merchant.
“I have none yet, sir,” replied Antony—whose wounded vanity gave him courage—“but that

is no reason, I hope, for refusing my picture?”

“It is not one for me to buy it,” said the picture-dealer impudently.

“Very well, sir,” said Antony, putting his hand out to take his picture back.

“I beg your pardon, young man,” said the stranger, who had kept silence till now, “I know a
little about painting.”

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