Deaccessioned Work- A Game of Hot Cockles

Jean Honore Fragonard, A Game of Hot Cockles, 1775-80, oil on canvas

This painting by Jean Honore Fragonard, the artist who made the emblematic Swing rococo piece, depicts the elite at play. Gardens are used as the setting, an ephemeral playful quality is shown through the light brushstrokes, and bright pastels make up the piece. A smattering of the rich lavish can be observed at the bottom of the piece, engaging in the game of hot cockles. This erotic-based game is played by laying one's head in a lady's lap who is then slapped on the bottom. The said goal was to guess the identity of the spanker. All the subtext is shown in a coy—faceless—manner and may not be identifiable to the middle and lower class. As such, this art is only understandable through the eyes of the aristocracy, who had the 'pleasure' and knowledge of playing such games. Through and through this is a piece of the elite for other elitists to see.

This piece, and Fragonard's works in general, are very similar to many other paintings from the Rococo period. The use of pastels and light brushstrokes helped to create a light-hearted and cheerful scene. This is a commonality shared within the most famous artworks during its time as it deeply contrasted the chiaroscuro of the Baroque period. At first glance, A Game of Hot Cockles portrays a seemingly optimistic perspective of life. But this life of enjoyment came at the cost of others. This is the glossy varnish that hides this period of poverty and labor.

After the death of King Louis XIV, there was an inherent shift in power from the monarchy to the aristocracy. These aristocrats would eventually control both monetary and political power in France. As such, many aristocrats had the luxury of spending their days in the lavish gardens and even commissioned artists to further romanticize their lifestyles. A Game of Hot Cockles was made for the eyes of aristocrats, and only them. At the time this painting was made, commoners were suffering to find jobs or acquire basic necessities. Fragonard successfully masks the inherent struggles the rest of society faced during this time; there is a visceral discrepancy between dreams and reality. And while these aristocrats were enjoying such lavish gardens within their large estates, others were suffering and their voices were not being heard. This is eventually what sparks the beginning of the French Revolution. 

The NGA showcases a plethora of beautiful artworks, including Fragonard's. However, it masks the societal issues which, in turn, feeds a false narrative of what Rococo truly was. It was a movement that supported aristocrats but failed to realize the struggles of its own people. Thus, this work no longer needs to be housed at the NGA as its money will go toward more works that deserve such recognition. It is important to diversify the exhibition with other artworks that may have been outshined by the glossy varnishes of what people may typically expect from the Rococo movement. By doing so, more exposure of authentic works can give voice to those who otherwise wouldn't have any.