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Charlotte Mason Picture Study Aid Antoine Watteau

Voulez vous triompher des Belles?

ca. 1714-1717
oil on oak panel
35.9 x 27 cm
The Wallace Collection, London
KEY TOPICS:

• The scene depicted is Watteau’s typical fête galante (or “courtship party” – a scene of an
elegant, festive occasion in an open-air setting, depicting dancing, musicales, comedy, etc.)

paintings.
4
• The statue behind the main couple is known as a herm, a figure in the form of the Greek

god Hermes that was often used as a boundary marker. In European art, these are sometimes
included in pieces as symbols of revelry and abandonment.
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• The title translates (loosely) as, “Do you want to succeed with the ladies?” Though the

painting was known as “Harlequin and Columbine” prior to this, it was more commonly

referred to under the new title when a matching engraving (by Henri Thomassin) was done

4 (Diamond)

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