Two Studies of a Dancer, Raising Her Skirt in Her Two Hands

Two Studies of a Dancer, Raising Her Skirt in Her Two Hands by Jean Antoine Watteau French, 1684-1721, is a delicate and immediate drawing executed circa 1712-1713. This preparatory work utilizes red chalk (sanguine) on cream laid paper, a demanding yet expressive medium that Watteau famously mastered to capture movement and texture. The piece features two distinct yet related studies of a female dancer captured mid-movement, raising her skirt with both hands. These sketches were likely derived from direct observation during a theatrical or ballet performance, reflecting the artist’s deep interest in the world of the stage.

Watteau (1684-1721) often used such drawings as highly detailed visual references for figures in his later oil paintings, particularly his groundbreaking fêtes galantes. The quick, evocative lines and subtle modeling characteristic of this red chalk technique allowed him to establish a personal visual lexicon, reusing poses and gestures across various compositions. This study is crucial for understanding the transition toward the lighter, more intimate aesthetics of the emerging Rococo style in France, signaling a decisive shift from the preceding Baroque era. The drawing is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a work created early in the 18th century, high-resolution images are frequently available through public domain collections, making high-quality art prints accessible to researchers and enthusiasts worldwide.