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

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

More Artwork

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Standing Man Leaning on a Parapet; Seated Woman, Leaning on a Pedestal; Woman Walking; Man Walking, Seen in Profile

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Simon Thomassin the younger

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L'Oeuvre D'Antoine Watteau Pientre du Roy en son Academie Roïale de Peinture et Sculpture Gravé d'après ses Tableaux & Desseins originaux...par les Soins de M. de Jullienne, Volume I, Antoine Watteau French, Engraving — L'Oeuvre D'Antoine Watteau Pientre du Roy en son Academie Roïale de Peinture et Sculpture Gravé d'après ses Tableaux & Desseins originaux...par les Soins de M. de Jullienne, Volume I
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ca. 1740

Figures de Differents caracteres, de Paysages . . .Volume I, Antoine Watteau French, Etching — Figures de Differents caracteres, de Paysages . . .Volume I
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1726

Figures de Differents caracteres, de Paysages . . .Volume II, Antoine Watteau French, Etching — Figures de Differents caracteres, de Paysages . . .Volume II
Multiple artists/makers
1728

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