The Bolt Jean Honore Fragonard (1732-1806)
Jean Honore Fragonard – The Bolt
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Painter: Jean Honore Fragonard
Location: Louvre (Musée du Louvre), Paris.
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"The Latch" is a work by the most talented artist born in France and living in Paris in the 18th and 19th centuries. J. Fragonard. The author created it during a trip to Italy as a counterpoint to his equally famous masterpiece, The Adoration of the Shepherds. Both canvases became the property of an eminent customer, the bearer of the title of Marquis - Lewis de Verey. The works are in the same color scheme and are identical in size.
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Description of Jean Honoré Fragonard’s painting "The Latch
"The Latch" is a work by the most talented artist born in France and living in Paris in the 18th and 19th centuries. J. Fragonard. The author created it during a trip to Italy as a counterpoint to his equally famous masterpiece, The Adoration of the Shepherds. Both canvases became the property of an eminent customer, the bearer of the title of Marquis - Lewis de Verey. The works are in the same color scheme and are identical in size. However, if the first picture was painted on the basis of a biblical story, then "Latch" became an erotic revelation of the author. This subtle game of contrasts is particularly interesting.
Other names of the canvas are also known, depending on the subtleties of translation - "The Latch", "The Lock", "The Latchbolt". It is one of the 800 pearls of the exhibition of the main museum of France - the Louvre. The plot is provocative and frank. A passionate young couple is portrayed in a love affair. The young man in the painting is already partially undressed and reaches for the latch to lock the door. The lady is languid, flaccid in her beau’s arms, still trying to resist it. But one look at her face is enough to know what will happen next. The bed and the lady’s dress are already wrinkled, and it is obvious that the young people have already begun their love game. On the chair there is a symbolic picture of an apple, which according to religious writings is the sign of sin and weakness of the flesh. The composition is built diagonally.
The painting is striking not only for its quality of execution, but also for its value. A small copy of Fragonard’s masterpiece was sold for almost 8 million euros. Evaluate the cost of the original is quite difficult.
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Мастерство показа динамической композиции, любовного порыва. Кстати, угол кровати с драпировкой напоминает колено сидящей женщины, и увеличивает контраст динамики – в первой фазе, как бы сидит, а во второй – срывается в порыве к своему возлюбленному. Но, это, просто моё личное впечатление.
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The painting depicts a dramatic scene in a dimly lit bedroom. A man, seemingly in distress or shock, stands on the right side of the frame, with his arms raised and his body angled away from the viewer. He is wearing a white shirt and white shorts. His posture suggests he is recoiling from something he has just witnessed or done.
In the center of the painting, a woman lies on a large bed, seemingly asleep or incapacitated. Her body is partially obscured by the bedding, which appears to be made of rich, textured fabrics, including gold and white linens. A lavish red curtain hangs on the left side of the bed, adding a sense of opulence and perhaps confinement.
The lighting in the painting is stark, with a strong beam of light illuminating the scene from the upper right, casting dramatic shadows. This chiaroscuro effect heightens the tension and mystery of the moment. The overall atmosphere is one of intensity, confusion, and potentially tragedy.
Subtexts:
The title, The Bolt, is crucial to understanding the subtexts. A bolt can refer to a sudden, striking event, like a lightning bolt, or it could refer to a bolt of cloth, suggesting something related to domesticity or perhaps a hidden aspect of the scene. Given the dramatic presentation, the former interpretation seems more likely, implying a shocking revelation or a sudden, impactful occurrence.
The painting likely symbolizes a moment of profound emotional upheaval or a turning point in a narrative. The mans reaction suggests witnessing something terrible, possibly infidelity, an accident, or a death. The womans state of repose, contrasted with the mans agitation, creates a powerful juxtaposition, hinting at a vulnerability or a hidden power dynamic.
Historically, paintings with similar themes of awakening or discovery in domestic settings have explored ideas of betrayal, moral crisis, and the fragility of relationships. The use of rich fabrics and a theatrical lighting style further suggests a heightened emotional drama, drawing the viewer into the psychological turmoil of the characters. The painting invites contemplation on hidden truths, sudden revelations, and the emotional responses they provoke.