**Early Life and Training**
François Boucher, a renowned French painter, draughtsman, and etcher, was born on September 29, 1703, in Paris. He was the son of Jean Boucher, a lesser-known painter who provided his initial artistic training. At 17, Boucher's work caught the attention of François Lemoyne, leading to an apprenticeship that lasted only three months. He then worked for the engraver Jean-François Cars before winning the Grand Prix de Rome in 1720.
**Rise to Prominence and Notable Works**
Boucher's artistic career accelerated after his return from Italy, where he was admitted to the Académie de peinture et de sculpture in 1731. His morceau de réception,
Rinaldo and Armida (1734), showcased his mastery of the Rococo style. This period also saw the creation of
The Breakfast (1739), a familial scene featuring his wife and children as models, highlighting his skill in genre painting.
**Influence and Legacy**
Boucher's association with Marquise de Pompadour, the mistress of King Louis XV, led to numerous portrait commissions, including
Odalisque portraits. His influence extended beyond painting to theater costume and set design, as well as tapestry design for the Beauvais workshops. Boucher's collaboration with the Gobelins Manufactory and his appointment as Premier Peintre du Roi in 1765 solidified his position as a leading artist of the French Rococo style.
**Notable Exhibits and Collections**
*
Musée Boucher de Perthes (France): Features an impressive collection of archaeological finds and artworks, including pieces by François Lemoyne.
*
Musée D'art et D'histoire de Cholet (France): Boasts a diverse collection of artworks, such as
Evariste Carpentier's "Painting" and
Jean Clouet's "Jean de la Barre".
- Discover the masterpieces of Musée Boucher de Perthes (France) on WahooArt.com: [https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3AQN9](https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3AQN9)
- Explore the collections of Musée D'art et D'histoire de Cholet (France) on WahooArt.com: [https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3AQF3](https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3AQF3)
- Learn more about the Rococo style and its characteristics on Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rococo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rococo)
**Bibliography and Further Reading**
* For a deeper understanding of François Boucher's life and work, visit his profile on WahooArt.com:
François Boucher [https://WahooArt.com/@/Francois-Boucher](https://WahooArt.com/@/Francois-Boucher)
* To explore the world of Rococo art and its notable artists, check out the Workshop Of François Boucher on WahooArt.com:
Workshop Of François Boucher [https://WahooArt.com/@/Workshop-Of-Francois-Boucher](https://WahooArt.com/@/Workshop-Of-Francois-Boucher)