In today’s class, we shifted our focus to Rococo painting in 18th-century France. We first studied art that was made specifically for the nobility. The nobility typically lived in Paris, in “hotel particuliers,” which were elegant rooms, but were also very small because Paris was a very crammed city. One of the most influential artists of the time was Jean-Antoine Watteau. His “A Pilgrimage to Cythera” was a piece that we studied. Created in 1717, the artwork represents a reception piece that got Watteau into the French Academy of Arts. Cythera is an island sacred to Venus, and is evident through the sculpture of Venus present in the scene. The island is being reached by boat, and people throughout the island all seem to be couples. Everyone is interacting in different ways, but the center of the scene is a lady who is reluctant to leave the island. She is looking back at the island, as her husband is telling her it is time to go. The island is almost a mythological place that is too pleasant and perfect to leave. It is a representation of escapist, which can be described as going to a magical island, and spending a divine moment, only to have to return back to reality upon departure. We can tell that Watteau’s painting is influenced by Rubens, as the colors are blended. They are pastel-like, meaning they are made up of pale colors and slightly toned-down colors. The sunset in the background adds to the beauty of the scene as well.