François Boucher

(French, 1703–1770)

François Boucher was a French painter known as a master of the Rococo style. His delicate paintings of pastoral and boudoir scenes meld naturalism with lighthearted fantasy. Referring to his interest in staging compositions in a theatrical manner, he once quipped, “Nature is too green and badly lit.” Born on September 29, 1703 in Paris, France, he apprenticed under artist François Lemoyne and went on to win the Grand Prix de Rome in 1720. The artist cited Peter Paul Rubens and Antoine Watteau as major influences in his development. After establishing himself with important commissions for the royal court at Versailles, he became a member of the Royal Academy and was later appointed director. In 1765, Boucher was awarded the title Premier Peintre du Roi (First Painter of the King) under Louis XV. During his time at court, he produced one of his most famous works, a portrait of the King’s mistress, Madame de Pompadour (1756). The artist died on May 30, 1770 in Paris, France. Boucher’s works are presently held in the collections of the Louvre in Paris, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Neue Pinakothek in Munich, among others.

Related Categories

Drawings and Works on Paper, European and British Decorative Art: 18th Century, Prints and Multiples

Related Artists

Giuseppe Castiglione, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Jean-Antoine Houdon, Francois Lemoyne, François Lemoyne, Jean-Antoine Watteau

François Boucher Artworks

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

François Boucher (2,727 results)
Portrait of a young woman, bust-length,...

François Boucher

Portrait of a young woman, bust-length,...

Sale Date: July 4, 2023

Auction Closed

Putti in clouds, supporting a cartouche...

François Boucher

Putti in clouds, supporting a cartouche...

Sale Date: July 4, 2023

Auction Closed

Scène mythologique

Style of François Boucher

Scène mythologique

Sale Date: June 30, 2023

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Vénus endormie veillée par Cupidon

Follower of François Boucher

Vénus endormie veillée par Cupidon

Sale Date: June 30, 2023

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Young girl with a blue bow.

After François Boucher

Young girl with a blue bow.

Sale Date: June 29, 2023

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L'Agréable leçon

After François Boucher

L'Agréable leçon

Sale Date: June 22, 2023

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Vénus couchée observée par deux Amours malicieux

After François Boucher

Vénus couchée observée par deux Amours malicieux

Sale Date: June 15, 2023

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mytologisk scen, 1800

Follower of François Boucher

mytologisk scen, 1800

Sale Date: June 14, 2023

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Ritratto di giovane di profilo

Circle of François Boucher

Ritratto di giovane di profilo

Sale Date: June 13, 2023

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Vénus et amours dans les nuages

François Boucher

Vénus et amours dans les nuages

Sale Date: June 13, 2023

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PUTTI PLAYING IN A GARDEN

Follower of François Boucher

PUTTI PLAYING IN A GARDEN

Sale Date: June 14, 2023

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Un couple de bergers

François Boucher

Un couple de bergers

Sale Date: June 15, 2023

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Dame im gelben Kleid mit rosa Schleifen

School of François Boucher

Dame im gelben Kleid mit rosa Schleifen

Sale Date: June 8, 2023

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Diana and Endymion

Follower of François Boucher

Diana and Endymion

Sale Date: May 24, 2023

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Shepherd and Shepherdess

Circle of François Boucher

Shepherd and Shepherdess

Sale Date: May 24, 2023

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A Lady on a Swing

Follower of François Boucher

A Lady on a Swing

Sale Date: May 24, 2023

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ALLEGORIE DER LITERATUR

Circle of François Boucher

ALLEGORIE DER LITERATUR

Sale Date: March 11, 2023

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ALLEGORIE DER MUSIK

Circle of François Boucher

ALLEGORIE DER MUSIK

Sale Date: March 11, 2023

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ALLEGORIE DER BILDUNG

Circle of François Boucher

ALLEGORIE DER BILDUNG

Sale Date: March 11, 2023

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BLUMEN PFLÜCKENDE KNABEN VOR ARCHITEKTONISCHER...

Circle of François Boucher

BLUMEN PFLÜCKENDE KNABEN VOR ARCHITEKTONISCHER...

Sale Date: March 11, 2023

Auction Closed

The Vegetable Vendor: A Sheet Of Studies, C.1738

François Boucher

The Vegetable Vendor: A Sheet Of Studies, C.1738

Sale Date: April 25, 2023

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THE YOUNG SHEPHERDESS

Follower of François Boucher

THE YOUNG SHEPHERDESS

Sale Date: April 25, 2023

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AMOR WACHT ÜBER DIE SCHLAFENDE VENUS

In the manner of François Boucher

AMOR WACHT ÜBER DIE SCHLAFENDE VENUS

Sale Date: March 30, 2023

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DIE MUSIKSTUNDE

Attributed to François Boucher

DIE MUSIKSTUNDE

Sale Date: March 30, 2023

Auction Closed

English (US)

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