The Rising of the Sun

The Rising of the Sun (1753), in the Wallace Collection, depicts Apollo's chariot ascending at dawn, surrounded by Hours, nymphs, and the personification of Aurora scattering flowers. This companion to The Setting of the Sun completes the cosmic cycle, the morning's brilliant warmth contrasting with the evening's cooler, more reflective palette. Together these paintings represent Boucher's most ambitious mythological program, their cosmic scale and encyclopedic mythological detail demonstrating his command of the grand decorative tradition. The Wallace Collection's possession of both paintings creates one of the most significant Boucher installations outside France.

Boucher orchestrates a complex celestial composition with radiant warm light emanating from Apollo's chariot. The swirling figures and luminous clouds are rendered with characteristic fluency, demonstrating his mastery of large-scale decorative design.