Allegory of Music

Francois Boucher, Allegory of Music, 1764, oil on canvas

The painting Allegory of Music was created in 1764 by integral rococo artist Francois Boucher using oil on canvas. The painting depicts a woman accompanied by two winged putti, more commonly referred to as cherubs. One of the putti presents the woman with a flute while holding a laurel wreath, while the other plucks along on a lyre. The putti act as supporting characters in this painting. They are moving around the main figure of a woman. She appears indifferent and uncaring of the putto actions, even while interacting with them as she relaxes on a bed of clouds. The woman is portrayed in a revealing manner, with her hair pinned up to show the curves of her neck. She is also loosely shrouded by the cloth which reveals her breast as well as a majority of her legs. Most of the cloth itself is sheer and shows the tint of her skin as well as shadows implying her other breast, making the woman's upper half almost completely exposed. The way the woman is presented as this sexualized figure makes her appear more as an object of desire to be viewed rather than a person. This is a common representation of women throughout the Rococo period. The women are often nude, beautiful, and without character. This objectification of women is one of the often overlooked aspects of the rococo period. It is difficult for many to see this representation of women through the bright colors and neutral or playful overtone of the paintings and other works of art.

By: Jamison