The amazing story of paintings Lyotard's "Chocolate"

Portrait of neatly dressed young girl delicately holding a tray of hot chocolate and a glass of water, is one of the most famous works of Swiss artist Jean-Etienne Liotard, and one of the most delightful paintings of the Dresden Gallery. And the story of this painting is no less interesting.

Biography of the artist

Jean-Étienne Liotard (1702 - 1789) was a Swiss painter and a master of pastels, best known for its pastel portraits in gentle tones. As a citizen of the Republic of Geneva, he was born and died in Geneva, but most of his career spent in the capitals of Europe, where his portraits of great success thanks to the naturalistic style, carefully executed details and subtle pastel technique. Furthermore, Lyotard worked in Rome, Istanbul, Paris, Vienna, London and other cities.

The painting style Lyotard reflected deeply affectionate, charming and realistic representation of objects in the pictures. Later, to the 79 years, he settled in his native Geneva, the artist wrote "Treatise on the art of painting", which claimed that the painting should be a mirror of nature. It is the author's conviction evident in his portraits, still lifes and landscapes later.

Chocolate - one of his most famous works and "the most beautiful pastels." Lyotard wrote "Chocolate" in 1743 - 1745 years, during his stay in Vienna, at the court of Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. It was the time of the French Rococo, which was reflected in the art of Liotard reflect pastel painting in which this charming work was done.

What do the "Chocolate" and "Cinderella"?

Background to the painting like a fairy tale by Charles Perrault of "Cinderella." Sounds like a legend, a girl in the photograph, Anna Baltauf lived in Vienna and worked as a maid in one of the chocolate shops that were at the peak of popularity in Europe during the XVIII century. As the daughter of an impoverished knight Vienna, she had little chance of a successful future, but in the summer of 1745 a young Austrian prince Dietrichstein visited this shop. The prince fell in love with Anna and asked her to marry him. Despite the objections of his family, "Chocolate" became a princess. As a wedding gift to his bride Prince ordered a portrait at Liotard, a painter of the Viennese court. The painting shows Anna was in the robe that was on her, when her future husband saw her for the first time.

There is a second, more mundane version of the painting: it is possible that the heroine - one of the courtiers of girls Viennese palace, struck the officer in the same Lyotard its beauty.

The plot

Master was able to show as usual scene - feeding chocolate drink - like a chic ritual. The maid Anna modestly dressed in a pale pink bohemian hood. Her neck is covered with a shawl and an apron tied at the waist. White scarf covering her shoulders and pleated linen apron tied around her waist, sinks to the long blue satin skirt, which folds glisten. Eyes young maid omitted, they are patiently waiting for the supply breakfast.

Expensive dishes in the form of porcelain decorated with Indian colors, shiny lacquered tray, expensive chocolate, available only to the chosen, reflect all the luxury in the morning for a man who is going to include breakfast heroine. The exquisite pastels Liotard on a silver dish is biscuits, designed to compensate for the bitter taste of chocolate. With the same purpose on the tray is filled with glass and water.

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technique

Pastel written on parchment at extremely high (90%) of the pigment concentration, which allows to ensure longevity and intensity of color and the ability to reflect the desired texture. Thanks to the workshop technology, viewers can enjoy the gentle tones and perfect quality, even after 280 years. The painting is almost devoid of shadows, with a pale background. Light from the window is reflected in the glass of water. This masterpiece was painted in halftone and perfectly modeled using pastels on parchment.

Commercial role of "Chocolate"

This magnificent work of art was the inspiration of commercial sales of chocolate. In 1881, Henry L. Pierce, president of the "Baker's Chocolate" chocolate company, visited the painting at the Dresden Art Gallery and was fascinated by it. He immediately registered the La Belle Chocolatière as one of the first trademarks in the United States, and since then the image of "Chocolate" is decorated boxes and packaging companies. The original portrait of Princess Dietrichstein, chocolate, still hangs in the Dresden Gallery, where it remains one of the most popular attractions of the museum.

"Chocolate" had a huge impact at the time - it is the most beautiful pastels ever written today - and remains valid and valuable today.