The Progress of Love: Reverie
Historical Context
Reverie, part of the Progress of Love at the Frick Collection, depicts a contemplative moment in the courtship sequence, as a young woman sits lost in romantic thought in a garden setting. The painting represents the reflective interlude between active pursuit and fulfilled love. The bravura brushwork—rapid, swirling strokes building luminous effects—was applied alla prima onto canvas primed with warm ochre grounds, a technique Fragonard developed after studying Tiepolo in Venice.
Technical Analysis
The seated figure creates a calm compositional center within the surrounding luxuriant foliage. The warm, diffused lighting and soft handling of the garden create an atmosphere of peaceful contemplation.
