Lot Essay
This renowned animalier entered the studio of Le Prince in the mid-1760s, and it was there that he first fell under the spell of Franois Boucher, still the leading History painter of the day. Although there is no evidence that Het actually studied with Boucher, the young painter enthusiastically embraced the 'got Boucher', specializing in the genre of the pastorale which Boucher had popularized; so closely could he emulate the older master's works that many were misattributed to Boucher until recently.
The present painting is very close is style, subject matter and handling to Het's suite of decorative panels (one of which is dated 1776) that are said to have come from the Chteau de Benguet near Mont-de-Marsan, and which are today installed in the Muse Nissim de Camondo, Paris. Like those paintings, it displays the broader, creamier brushwork and paler, more pastel palette that distinguish Het's works from those of Boucher.
The present painting is very close is style, subject matter and handling to Het's suite of decorative panels (one of which is dated 1776) that are said to have come from the Chteau de Benguet near Mont-de-Marsan, and which are today installed in the Muse Nissim de Camondo, Paris. Like those paintings, it displays the broader, creamier brushwork and paler, more pastel palette that distinguish Het's works from those of Boucher.