BOUCHER, FRANcOTS (1703-70). A French Fainter, born in Paris. He was a pupil of Le moine, but formed his style rather after the model of Watteau; went to Rome in 1725, and after his return speedily won a great reputa tion. He became a member of the Academy in 17:34, and its director in 1765, when he was also appointed first painter to the King. lle was an artist of prodigious facility and inde fatigable industry; was endowed with a brilliant imagination, and painted everything, from reli gious subjects and mythological and pastoral scenes to still life, from portraits, landscapes, find animals to decorations for the opera. His works are the true mirror of his time, when libertinism reigned supreme. and voluptuous ness was the keynote of the Court and aristo cratic society. Pastoral scenes were his favorite subjects. painted with a spirited touch and a freshness and transparency of color resembling that of Rubens, but all pervaded by that atmos phere of sensuality which emanated from the boudoirs of Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry. His figures of children alone eon
I eyed a sense of purity. To the end of his days he was celebrated as the "Painter of the Graces," and also styled the 'Anacreon of Painting.' He was in high favor with Madame de Pompadour, whose portrait he painted, and who engraved some of his works. Among his numerous pro ductions may he mentioned: "Rinaldo and Ar mida," "Diana Leaving the Bath," "Venus De manding of Vulcan Arms for ..-Eneas." "Jupiter and Callisto." "Rape of Europa," all in the Louvre; "Leda and the Swan," "Triumph of Galatea," "'Toilet of Venus," in the Stockholm .1useuni. Among his portraits, that of Madame de Pompadour is the most famous.