Focus on this artwork and explore the History.
The painting was executed by Fragonard at the age of 21 when he was still a student at the École des Élèves Protégés, which was under the direction of Carle Vanloo. Students at the academy were required to prepare an artwork for presentation to the King of France at Versailles; Fragonard's painting was one of several presented to Louis XV in 1753. It was highly successful, but fell in critical esteem for a period when it was also attributed to Vanloo. In 1752–1753, before enrolling in the academy, Fragonard had studied with François Boucher, and the influence of his master can be seen in some details of this work.
Louis XV Carle Vanloo details Versailles École des Élèves Protégés François Boucher