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Standing Savoyarde with a Marmot Box

ca. 1715
Not on view
Early in his career, before devoting himself to popular subjects of lovers, aristocrats, and commedia dell'arte figures, Watteau treated themes inspired by his Northern training: the hardships of military life and the travails of the lower classes. This sheet is one of around a dozen depicting Savoyards, natives of the region of Savoy, whose impoverished circumstances sometimes led them to take up an itinerant life as street performers. This elderly woman in ragged clothes leans on a cane and gazes off to the side. On her arm is strapped a box to hold a marmot, used as a form of street entertainment. Watteau records her with candor, first in red chalk, and then with sharp accents of black to pick out creases and shadows.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Standing Savoyarde with a Marmot Box
  • Artist: Antoine Watteau (French, Valenciennes 1684–1721 Nogent-sur-Marne)
  • Date: ca. 1715
  • Medium: Red and black chalk
  • Dimensions: 12 5/16 x 8 in. (31.2 x 20.3 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Therese Kuhn Straus, in memory of her husband, Herbert N. Straus, 1978
  • Object Number: 1978.12.1
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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attributed to Jean-Baptiste Voboam
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Cottage near the Entrance to a Wood, Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) Dutch, Pen and inks ranging from light to dark brown, brown washes, corrected in white (oxidized, partially abraded), and touches of red chalk (in added structures to the left of the main cottage).
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1644
Seated Woman, Antoine Watteau French, Black, red and white chalk
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