Boucher: Rococo Reimagined
Flora Yukhnovich's contemporary art responds to François Boucher's Rococo masterpieces in a groundbreaking exhibition.
History of Hertford House Contemporary Photograph of Folies Bergère and World of Pure Imagination on the Landing (2024) by Cassandra ParsonsThe Wallace Collection
The invitation to the contemporary British artist Flora Yukhnovich to respond to two masterpieces by François Boucher in the Wallace Collection not only welcomes a major artist to the museum, but creates an opportunity to look at Boucher’s work afresh.
History of Hertford House Contemporary Photograph of Pastoral with a Couple near a Fountain and Pastoral with a Bagpipe Player (2024) by Cassandra ParsonsThe Wallace Collection
For the first time, Boucher's 1749 paintings are displayed without frames, revealing their vibrant details in a modern context. The absence of traditional settings allows for a fresh perspective on these iconic works.
Step into Flora Yukhnovich's studio (2024) by Wallace CollectionThe Wallace Collection
The contemporary British artist Flora Yukhnovich has found these playful, dynamic and highly imaginative aspects of the Rococo a great inspiration in creating her large-scale, semi-abstract oil paintings.
Step into Flora Yukhnovich's studio (2024) by Wallace CollectionThe Wallace Collection
Boucher’s bold colour use and skillful manipulation of paint also dazzles when seen close up. For example, he edges the vine leaves with bright touches of red and yellow, and rings the grapes with sweeps of orange and pale blue to make them appear both juicy and translucent.
Step into Flora Yukhnovich's studio (2024) by Wallace CollectionThe Wallace Collection
It’s also clear Boucher thought about how much his art should complement the stylistic language of the Rococo decor that would surround it. This idea of Boucher creating works in dialogue with an environment is an aspect of Boucher’s art that Yukhnovich finds very compelling.
Step into Flora Yukhnovich's studio (2024) by Wallace CollectionThe Wallace Collection
While Boucher will come out of his usual frames and be hung downstairs, two new semi-abstract paintings made in direct response to the pictures by Yukhnovich will take Boucher’s place on the Wallace Collection landing.
Each of Yukhnovich’s paintings are of exactly the same dimensions as the originals and both will sit in copies of the gilt frames that surround the 18th-century pictures. It’s a completely new venture for Yukhnovich who has never had her work framed.
Step into Flora Yukhnovich's studio (2024) by Wallace CollectionThe Wallace Collection
History of Hertford House Contemporary Photograph of Folies Bergère and World of Pure Imagination on the Landing (2024) by Cassandra ParsonsThe Wallace Collection
Find out more about the enduring impact of Rococo here.
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