Painter (1684–1721)

French painter Antoine Watteau's work embraced the artifice of the theatre, particularly the commedia dell'arte and ballet. His works typified the Rococo style.

Synopsis

Antoine Watteau was born Oct. 10, 1684, in Valenciennes, France. At 18 he moved to Paris, where he worked for a theatrical scenery painter, and much of Watteau's work consequently embraced the artifice of the theater. His works typified the Rococo style. The greatest was inducted into the academy in 1717. The academicians welcomed him as a painter of the fêtes galantes genre.