Watteau

Watteau, written by C. Lewis Hind and first published in 1910, is a scholarly biography of the French painter Antoine Watteau, who lived from 1684 to 1721. The book examines Watteau's life, from his humble beginnings in Valenciennes to his rise as a prominent figure in the Parisian art scene, highlighting his unique style that combined joy and melancholy. Hind discusses Watteau's major works, including 'The Embarkment for Cythera,' and his significant contributions to art, particularly in defining the genre of 'fête galante,' establishing him as a precursor to Impressionism.