Secrets of the Wallace: The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1767)

'The Swing' is an eighteenth-century masterpiece by Jean-Honoré Fragonard that embodies the spirit of the Rococo artistic style. In this film, Curatorial Assistant Carmen Holdsworth-Delgado is interviewed by Christobel and Niamh about the painting, in which a young lady becomes the centre of attention, objectification, fantasy and desire. Though at first glance it may appear to be a scene of playful recreation, look closely for the two male characters in the painting; the composition suggests both scandalous romantic liaisons and voyeuristic intentions. Fragonard explores the social mores and painterly traditions of the age whilst inviting the viewer to become part of the seduction.

Part of the 'Secrets of the Wallace' podcast series.

Hello I'm Chistobel and I'm Niamh and today we are going to be discussing decadence, agency and ambiguity in Jean-Honoré Fragonard's best known painting, The Swing. Here to give us some insider knowledge is Curatorial Assistant Carmen Holdsworth-Delgado.

Could you give us some information about how The Swing came into being?

A poet's accounts has it that the history painter Doyen was approached by an 'unnamed person' or gentleman of the court, who wanted to commission him to paint a picture of his mistress on a swing, with him in the bushes hiding, and being pushed by a bishop. He specifically said the lady on the swing should be showing her ankles and more besides, if you want to enliven the picture further. Doyen was a little bit scandalised by this and he suggested that instead Fragonard take over the commission. This painting was made in 1767.

How does Fragonard undercut the etiquette of French eighteenth-century society?

Well French eighteenth-century society, at this time, is well known for being quite libertine. But they still had quite strict rules and regulations and one of those was that men were allowed mistresses. Women possibly could have a fancy man if they wanted, however they first had to provide a male heir to their husband and be very discreet about it. So Fragonard was not undercutting society but just putting it overtly out there what everyone knew to be happening at the time.

To what extent do you think the lady is situated as the object of desire versus the instigator of romantic intrigue?

That's a really good question, I think Fragonard leaves that completely open to us. It is very ambiguous and it's a love triangle, even the composition shows us that. The lady is sat on the Swing precariously balanced between two people. Women at the time did not have much power in terms of money and lands (that went from father to husband if there was any). But they did have influence and they had to use their wiles and natural beauty to gain a position in Court. So she might hold the power and beauty at the moment, but the precarious swing position shows us that it might not last.

How does Fragonard utilise the Rococo artistic styles of the age?

So firstly, Fragonard has created quite a small picture. In the Rococo, rooms became smaller, cosier and more multifunctional. These were conversational pieces allowing people to come up close to. It also shows a lovely lady in a beautiful pink dress. The Rococo was well-known for its excessive use of textiles and people at this time would have known other society portraits, maybe even of Boucher's Madame de Pompadour in a similar dress. These portraits were different as the lady was static rather than in full fluid movement and not showing more than her shoe. Lastly it's quite normal for ladies to be shown with their favourite pet, Madame de Pompadour is shown with her faithful and adoring dog. However, the dog in the Swing is jumping up and excited, showing that all is not well in this relationship.

Thanks for watching. If you're interested in seeing The Swing in person then come down to the Wallace Collection and look out for more podcasts online.