The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard
The Swing, 1767–8 by French artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard is a work repute for its characteristics, time period of conception and matter of subject. A classic work of rococo, it contains many of the themes and stylistic elements of the genre. Some notable figures of the enlightenment detested rococo, seeing it as frivolous and ignoble. Rococo also gained a reputation for being seen as an art emblematic of an aloofness of the well-to-do and their lack relation to the problems of the world.
Housed in London, UK, by the Wallace Collection, the oil painting on canvas measures 81 centimeters by 64.2 centimeters. The moderate sized picture captures a lot. A lady is swinging suspended from a strong tree. She looks determined to get the most momentum out of her swing while simultaneously focusing on the man below her. The fellow resting on nature’s floor gazes up at her in awe; joy and surprise show on his expression. Her momentum is aided by a man of later years ushering the swing to and fro. Statues of three small winged angels watch on; the single one on the left has a finger to its lips as if to say ‘this is a secret’, while the two on the right lean into each other in comfort. Lush foliage and sunlight interplay, creating a hazy canopy. The leaves in the foreground plume and billow in pattern ornamentation. The lady’s dress crumples and flows to her movement with ease. Its lacey edges speak to frothy excess. The seat of her swing looks like a royal cushion. The leafy scenery is tranquil. Nature itself seems to enjoy the moment as much as the people. The flowers at the bottom of the painting are speckled beautifully. The style is regarded as rococo par excellence.
Taking a critical perspective, this painting speaks to the world of the well-off enjoying themselves. In the period of rococo — and in many other times as well, while there is suffering of all kinds, there is simultaneously people partaking in the joys of life. This painting is a window into that world; the dream of rococo. While perhaps ostentatious and aloof, there is still a logic to it. Rococo is playful and celebratory in the happiness captured in fortunate moments. Still, it is tempered by the bleak socio-economic realities of its time period and cultural setting. The average French citizen was not doing well during the age of rococo. In France and other parts of Europe, civil unrest and unfortunate lives of desperation and misery were all too common. There is certainly no depiction of average French life in this painting, and thus, that is also rococo. Indeed, the style dictates a curation for it to propagate its essence.
Personally, I love the world in this painting. It is idyllic. Seeing grownups stealing away to a carefree place from a period long gone doesn’t offend me. Rather, I see this work as a wonderful day dream. It may be a life few could have possessed, but I tend to think of it as a vision; Fragonard captured something enduring. Joyful exuberance in a wonderland of storybooks and freedom of time. It is unfortunate that rococo is so immersed in itself per se, that the struggles of life mean nothing to it. Though I would argue that perspective has a place in society and human experience. There are times when imagination and daydreams are a respite from the struggles of life. From that perspective, Fragonard’s The Swing is welcoming and fun.