Five years ago, I spent time in Madrid indulging in the feast of the city and in some of Europe’s greatest museums. I carried a sketchbook with me to draw in the galleries. A few pages shown here are of Jean-Antoinne Watteau’s paintings at the Thyssen-Bornemisza. Watteau was the progenitor of the ‘fêtes galantes’ genre, theatrical scenes of idylls and pastorals. Other visitors were kind to me, generously expressing their approval of my efforts and of the originals, usually in gestures and limited English. My lack of Spanish was possibly an advantage in shielding me from complaints for blocking the view by standing directly in front of artwork to draw. Later at home, I made copies from reproductions in books, not least to live longer within the world of Watteau’s clever charms.
ABOVE: Copy in Handbook, 5.5 x 8 inches, with Uniball Vision Micro pen, 031312, Happy Pierrot by Watteau, oil painting, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid
Copy in Handbook, 5.5 x 8 inches, with Uniball Vision Micro pen, 031112, Happy Pierrot by Watteau, oil painting, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid
Copy in oil, 20×16 inches, 2012, Judgment of Paris by Watteau, 1718-1721
Copy in pencil and gouache, 8×8 inches, 110912, Judgment of Paris by Watteau
Copy in pencil and gouache, 8×8 inches, 092112, Savoyard with Marmot and Oboe by Watteau
Copy in pencil and gouache, detail, 8×8 inches, 092112, Gilles and Four Other Characters by Watteau
Copy in pencil and gouache, detail, 8×8 inches, 101112, Perspective by Watteau