1730 -1765 · Arcadia, metamorphosis and rococo decor

Arcadian musicians, Bacchus entrusted to the nymphs, Callisto deceived and nymph on the flutes show Boucher transforming the myth into a theater of music, care and desire.

The nymphs allow François Boucher to bring together pastoral landscape, nude, music and mythology. In musical Arcadia, female figures play within a nature arranged like a setting. Mercury entrusting the child Bacchus to the nymphs of Nysa stages protection and transmission: the god hands over the infant to a group which will ensure his survival. Callisto's story is more violent. Jupiter takes the appearance of Diana to approach and seduce - or deceive - the nymph, an episode which today requires reading through the question of consent and divine power. The story of Callisto is more violent. Jupiter takes the appearance of Diana to approach and seduce - or deceive - the nymph, an episode which today demands to be read through the question of consent and divine power. The nymph sitting with flutes reduces the story to a figure and instruments, while Venus in the bath expands the group to love. Boucher uses trees, clouds, light flesh and fabrics to make the mythological world an elegant spectacle. This visual grace can soften stories that remain loaded with constraint. The "Nymphs by François Boucher" selection notably compares Arcadian Nymphs making music and Mercury entrusting the child Bacchus to Nysa's nymphs. His reading favors drawing.

In Boucher, Arcadia makes the myth seductive; a careful reading must, however, find under grace the power relations of the story.