The Sweet Sin of The Swing
Beneath the Lace and Frills: this is not about pure love (Sorry, TikTok)
You might have encountered this painting in Frozen, on Pinterest, or during your internet wanderings, where it’s often celebrated for its breathtaking beauty and pure romantic vibes. Indeed, Fragonard’s The Swing is a quintessential example of Rococo art, embodying the era’s flair for elegance and playful sensuality. However, the story behind the painting is anything but pure.
Rococo art
Rococo, which emerged in France between 1730 and 1760, is distinguished by its elaborate decoration, intricate forms, and a spirit of lightness and whimsy. Initially developed for the interiors of aristocratic residences, Rococo is known for its lavish use of gold, flowing curvilinear shapes, and meticulous detail. Drawing inspiration from Asian, Japanese, and Chinese art, the style infused an exotic flair into its ornate and playful aesthetic. Rococo quickly spread to Southern Europe.
The style reached its zenith during the Regency and the reign of Louis XV around 1745, replacing Classicism, which had been perceived as overly solemn and formal—a legacy of Louis XIV’s era. Rococo embraced a return to extravagance, echoing the opulence of the Baroque period from the 1580.
Baroque and Rococo: Key Differences
Both artistic movements diverge from the order and decorum of Classicism, embracing extravagance, emotion, contrasts, and illusion. However, they differ significantly in their social objectives and overall intent.
Baroque:
Religious Themes: Baroque art often focused on grand religious themes, emphasizing the power, glory, and majesty of the divine. Biblical episodes were commonly depicted, aiming to inspire awe and devotion among the faithful.
Tenebrism and Realism: The dramatic use of light and shadow (tenebrism), as seen in the works of Caravaggio, heightened the emotional intensity and realism of religious scenes, making them more relatable and spiritually engaging.
Glorification of the Divine: Baroque art sought to glorify the divine, reminding believers of the Church's spiritual authority and power. The art served as a visual tool to reinforce the Church's message and appeal to the faithful.
Why did the Church want to promote its faith so strongly during this time? This period was one of religious instability, with Catholicism challenged by the growing influence of Protestant reforms. To counter this, Pope Paul III convened the Council of Trent from December 1545 to December 1563 in Italy, the center of Catholicism. The Church used art as a form of persuasion to the Europeans
But it wasn't only the Church that leveraged Baroque art for its own ends; European monarchs did as well.
Monumental grandeur: Baroque art was also employed by absolute monarchies to display their power and grandeur, reinforcing their divine right to rule.
Public displays of power: Monarchs commissioned large-scale artworks to manifest their control and authority, using art as a form of political propaganda to assert their dominance.
Versailles
Versailles, commissioned by Louis XIV, is a prime example of Baroque extravagance, perfectly embodying the grandeur and opulence befitting the Sun King
Rococo:
Glorification of the nobles: Shifted focus from religious themes to the celebration of aristocracy and the pleasures of the nobility.
Opulence: Known for its extravagance, Rococo art is filled with ornate designs, intricate details, and a playful, light-hearted aesthetic.
Nature and asymmetry: Elements of nature, such as floral motifs and shell-like shapes, were prevalent, often arranged in dynamic, asymmetrical compositions.
Leisure and romance: Rococo celebrated themes of love, leisure, and the carefree lifestyle of the aristocracy, often depicting scenes of dancing, music, and other leisurely pursuits set in grand and opulent gardens.
Back to our painting
Created in 1767, this masterpiece was commissioned by a French aristocrat, Baron Louis-Guillaume Baillet de Saint-Julien, with an intriguingly provocative vision.
I would like you to paint madam, on a swing pushed by a bishop. You will place me so that I could see the legs of this beautiful child, and even better if you want to make your painting more lively …
The Baron to Fragonard
Outrageous !
Fragonard was the only artist bold enough to accept this audacious commission, which was both outrageous and risky, pushing the boundaries of social norms with its explicit eroticism. The painting provocatively depicts a woman playfully kicking off her shoe toward a Cupid statue—symbolizing lust—while making eye contact with a man hidden in the bushes, the Baron, who is clearly peeking up her skirt. This painting boldly defies the era's social values with its overt and almost scandalously erotic sensuality.
And just to clarify—both the woman and the man in the bushes are involved in an adulterous affair!
Genius of Fragonard
Fragonard's genius lies in his subtle commentary on the adulterous relationship. While he did not actually paint the bishop, rumors suggest he portrayed the woman's husband instead. It was clever of him not to include a religious figure in this provocative painting, contrary to the Baron’s demand.
The artwork cleverly illustrates the dynamics of the affair—showing the mistress swinging back and forth between her lover and her husband. The husband, positioned in the shadows, seems to smile at the scene, oblivious to the hidden man in the bushes.
Hidden messages in the painting
The angel statue, often interpreted as Falconet’s representation of menacing love, was created by Falconet for Madame de Pompadour, King Louis XV’s mistress.
The angel’s finger to its lips as if urging viewers to keep the affair a secret.
The state of the swing's rope reflects the instability of the marriage, gradually becoming more frayed and damaged, symbolizing the deteriorating relationship.
Conclusion
To conclude, revisiting Frozen, I believe it was a smart decision to modify the painting in the film, given that its original meaning was clearly not intended for a younger audience. In the movie, we only see the husband depicted with fairness and loyalty, omitting the other man hidden in the bushes.
*:･ﾟ✧
That’s it for today! I hope you enjoyed it.
See you soon for another chapter of our journey.
What other paintings do you think have been misunderstood or wrongly interpreted?
With lots of love,
-Lyna
super super informative !! loved to read
this was beautifully detailed and written, I loved it! write more please please!!!