FRANÇOIS BOUCHER (ATTRIBUTED) (PARIS, 1703 – PARIS, 1770) Musical Gathering c. 1750–1760 Oil on canvas, 116.1 x 59.6 cm Provenance: Private collection, Switzerland This highly elegant work, attributed to François Boucher, a leading figure of French Rococo, brilliantly illustrates the art of the gallant and pastoral scene for which the painter was renowned. The composition depicts a charming musical gathering: in a bucolic setting dominated by a luminous sky and the refined architecture of a château, young figures indulge in the pleasures of music and conversation. The arrangement of the figures reveals a refined sense of composition: in the foreground, two female musicians play the flute and the theorbo respectively, whilst a third, standing, beats time with enthusiasm, a score in her hand. Beside them, a young man leans towards them, appearing to begin a tune or strike up a conversation. The ensemble creates a lively and animated scene, imbued with grace and lightness. The luminous colour palette, dominated by the vibrant blues of the sky and the warm tones of the fabrics, highlights the refinement of the textiles, the softness of the skin tones and the elegance of their poses. This chromatic virtuosity, combined with the supple and alluring modelling of the figures, perfectly illustrates Boucher’s distinctive sensual and theatrical aesthetic. Through its pictorial quality, its alluring subject matter and its refined atmosphere, this painting stands as a remarkable testament to the taste and refinement of the 18th century, faithful to the artist’s gallant and musical world.