The Symbol of the Fete Galante

“The Symbol of the Fete Galante”, a book-illustrative exhibition dedicated to the 335th anniversary of the birth of French painter and draftsman Antoine Watteau (1684–1721) runs in the fine arts hall (306), from October 10 to November 11.

The splendid parks of Paris, green gardens and corners of solitude, rustling ladies' dresses, the holiday feeling, disturbing romance and bewitching sounds of music... This world of harmony, carelessness and love, poetry and beauty is embodied on the canvases of Antoine Watteau.

The artist was an illustrious representative of his era – the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, when the aesthetics of the Rococo style dominated European art. The master’s works are a true reflection of the time in which he lived, the embodiment of Watteau’s subtle nature, his sincerity and emotionality.

The painter lived a short and complex life. However, he managed to create his own original style, the so-called “Watteau style” with its chamber character, softened by color contrasts, airiness and lightness, a wonderful sense of color, curved outlines, mastery of “eyes and conversation signs.” The artist, by the power of his talent, embodied the aesthetics of the century, becoming its symbol and creating a new genre of painting, which contemporaries called "courtship party", or Fete Galante.

The exhibition presents the reproductions of Watteau’s best paintings: Gilles, A Garden Party, La Boudeuse, The Faux Pas, The feast of Love, Savoyard with a Marmot, Satire on Physicians. You will be touched at the images of mythical characters, musicians, actors and theatrical characters, which the artist loved to paint.

The exposition presents a variety of books about the life and career of Antoine Watteau, including the works of French writer, scholar of the history of philosophy and painting Gabriel Séallies and other art critics and historians; collections of the master’s letters and statements; memoirs of the artist’s contemporaries; excerpts from the recording book of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture; official acts and messages relating to the painter.

The opening hours of the exhibition correspond to the library’s opening hours.
Admission is by library card or by ticket of the library's social and cultural center. Information and tickets may be obtained at the registration desk.

For more info: (+375 17) 293 27 53.

Special Collections Service Department