Shop art print and framed art La Lumière du monde by François Boucher

François Boucher's The Light of the World is an oil on canvas, painted in 1750. Originally called The Adoration of the Shepherds, it was commissioned by Madame de Pompadour and is now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lyon. The subject depicted is not exactly an Adoration of the Shepherds because of the absence of the sheep, nor a Nativity because of the presence of strangers and the absence of the donkey. The real subject is therefore The Light of the World, which later became the title of the work. This painting, originally entitled The Adoration of the Shepherds, was commissioned from François Boucher by Madame de Pompadour, favourite and friend of the king. It was the first commission for the painter by Madame de Pompadour, but more importantly, it was the first large-format religious work by Boucher, who produced five in all. The painting was exhibited at the Salon in 1750, marking a turning point in François Boucher's career, as it earned him a place in the Palais du Louvre as well as the position of First Painter to the King. Once the painting was completed, it adorned the altar in the cupboard of one of the antechambers of the Château de Bellevue (Meudon). Indeed, a chapel was necessary for the prestige of this château. An engraving of this painting was made in 1761 by Étienne Fessard, who gave it its current title, "The Light of the World". Although its initially private use allowed François Boucher to stray somewhat from traditional codes, the painting did not suit [...]

 

This artwork is a painting from the classical period. It belongs to the rococo style.

 

« La Lumière du monde » is kept at Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon, France.

 

Find the full description of La Lumière du monde by François Boucher on Wikipedia.