The Progress of Love: The Pursuit
Historical Context
The Progress of Love: The Pursuit (1771-73), in The Frick Collection, is the opening scene of Fragonard's celebrated love cycle, depicting a young man scaling a garden wall to present a rose to a startled young woman. The composition's dramatic diagonal movement and lush garden setting create an image of romantic impetuosity that encapsulates the spirit of the Rococo era. The rejection of this series by Madame du Barry marked a turning point in French taste, as the Neoclassical austerity championed by Vien and David displaced the sensuous charm of Rococo painting. The Frick Collection's acquisition of the complete series created one of the greatest installations of French art in America.
Technical Analysis
The dynamic composition captures the suitor's forward movement through a luxuriant garden. The energetic brushwork and warm palette create an atmosphere of youthful impetuosity and romantic anticipation.
