François Boucher and studio

Anonymous sale ('Property from a Private Collection'), New York, Christie's, 6 April 2006, lot 330, for $228,000;

Where acquired by a private collector;

By whom sold anonymously ('Property from an Important Private Collection'), New York, Sotheby's, 27 January 2022, lot 53, for $151,200;

Where acquired by the present owner.

This sumptuous work dates from the penultimate year of Boucher's life. As this picture attests, the great master of the Rococo was a prolific painter even through his final years. Danäe sits atop a soft, billowing pile of opulent fabrics, her white satin sheet twisting and falling delicately to reveal her breasts. Cupid and a putto are emerging from the dense clouds beyond her, and a warm golden light – the source of Jupiter's shower of gold – breaks through the dark clouds in the background. This specific mythological scene is rare within Boucher's œuvre, which is surprising given his affinity for similar subjects.

A related black and white chalk study exhibits Boucher's careful attention to the drapery and the delicate reflections of light on both Danäe's flesh and the fabrics surrounding her (fig. 1).¹ Given the format of this painting and the broad handling, it was likely intended as an overdoor, set within a decorative scheme. Careful inspection reveals that it was originally scalloped shaped, further confirming this original intention, though unfortunately its early history remains unknown.

At this time in his career, Boucher led a thriving workshop to keep up with demand and it is likely that his assistants contributed to much of his output at the time, including the present work. While Alastair Laing fully supported the attribution of the aforementioned preparatory drawing, he believed that this painting was completed largely by the artist's workshop. As Boucher proudly signed and dated the work, however, it would have certainly left his studio as a painting by the master himself.