Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721)

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Watteau was born in the small Flemish town of Valenciennes October 10, 1684. The first painting lessons he taught local artist Gérin, in whose studio the young Watteau copied works by Rubens, Van Dyck and other famous Flemish painters. Study boys did not last long, a little lessons Zherena gave the beginners, but prompted him to more serious painting.

Paris

Approximately in 1700 Watteau went to Paris, having no means of subsistence, nor patrons. There he began to work in a small shop located on the bridge of Notre Dame. He is responsible for the production of cheap pictures on religious themes and copying other people's pictures. The work paid poorly and also was boring and exhausting.

In 1703, fate brings Watteau and his family Mariette - art dealer Pierre and his son, the famous collector of Dutch painting, Jean. Visiting them, the young artist to get acquainted with the works of Titian, Rubens, Sempolya, Picard and Cullen, who became his first source of inspiration.

Teachers

When one of these visits, there is a meeting house Marietta Watteau with his first real teacher - Claude Gillot and in 1703 the young artist began working in his studio. In the works Gillot prevailing images of scenes from everyday rural life, gallant and theatrical motifs. This topic has become close and Watteau's contemporaries noticed the extraordinary similarity of works of both artists, which probably led to a break between them in 1708.

From 1708 to 1709, Jean-Antoine works as an assistant in a decorative painter Claude Audran, who became his second teacher. Devotes a lot of time Watteau ornamental paintings, which subsequently affected the style of his mature works, giving them a characteristic precision and ease.

Audran was the curator of the collection of paintings of the Luxembourg Palace, and his student had the opportunity to get acquainted with the works of the great painters of the time.

Working with Odranom, young Jean-Antoine realizes that he has to be implemented independently. For this, he entered the Academy of Arts and trying to get the Grand Prix at the competition. But, disappointed with second place, who took his job in 1709 Watteau makes a trip home to Valenciennes.

In 1710, the artist returned to Paris as already recognized and mature master. His work is dominated by battle painting, very popular among the participants of the Flemish war. It is a military theme and brings Watteau first fame.

Initially, on his return, the artist settles with his father-in-Sirois engaged in trade paintings and frames. Through him, Watteau makes acquaintance with Pierre Crozat. Millionaire Crozat, who served as the king's treasurer, was a connoisseur of the arts and philanthropist. In 1714 he was at the disposal of the artist's estate in Nogent-sur-Marne. Here were all the conditions for creativity, and Watteau could work in peace without worrying about finding means of subsistence.

Period late work (1716-1721)

This period of time was the most fruitful for Watteau. The artist often moved and lives on the line at Sirois, Crozat, Jora, Fleygelsa. Contemporaries notice that after a while he began to tire of any apartment in which they live.

In 1917 Watteau became a member of the Royal Academy of Painting and Arts. And since the end of 1719 to the summer of 1720 he visited London, where he meets with French artists. In the UK, Jean-Antoine works hard, and his works are a success.

Last year of his life, the artist spent in Nogent-sur-Marne in the community close comrades: Gers, La Roca and Patten. In this manor, he died July 18, 1721.