2-744-561 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Guitarist, 1720s. Like his illustrious master, Watteau, Pater specialized in fête galantes, paintings that featured elegantly attired men and women in bucolic settings engaged in decorously amorous play, and, also like his teacher, Pater worked out his preliminary ideas in red chalk studies. During the 17th century, guitar virtuosos from Italy and Spain made their way to the court of Louis XIV, and by the 18th century, the guitar had become integrated into the French culture of gallantry, and thus featured prominently in fête galantes.