Lecture Notes: Watteau's Pilgrimage to Cythera

Introduction

Geographical Context:
- Island in Greece, mythically associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
Symbolism:
- Sculpture of Aphrodite with Cupid's bow and vine of roses.
- Presence of Cupid depicted as not needing to act, symbolizing ubiquitous love.

Figures:
- Couples progressing towards intimacy as they approach a boat.
- Depicts a dance-like progression of relationships.
- Formal 18th-century dance elements can be observed in the interlocked hands of figures.
Boating Scene:
- A ship ready to take the figures either to or from Cythera.
- Red silk drapery and garlands of flowers enhance the romantic theme.
Art Historical Debate:
- Ambiguity on whether the figures are arriving at or departing from Cythera.
- Painting's narrative might not be literal but rather about ambiguity.
- Connection to opera and plays suggested in the composition.

Rococo Characteristics:
- Soft outlines, merging figures with the background, visible brushwork.
- Adherence to Reubenist philosophy emphasizing color over line.
Fête Galante:
- New painting genre depicted by Watteau, representing outdoor aristocratic entertainment.
- Created for Watteau's acceptance into the Royal Academy of Art.
- Led to the creation of a new category in the Academy.

Rococo Era:
- Known as the Ancien Régime, final century of French nobility's dominance.
- Precedes the French Revolution which drastically changes French society and governance.
Cultural Reflection:
- Painting reflects the aristocracy's idealized and fantastical lifestyle before the societal upheaval.

Pilgrimage to Cythera is an illustrative example of 18th-century aristocratic art, providing insight into the cultural and artistic dynamics of the period.