The Swing : Examining a Masterpiece

New display at the Wallace Collection of “The Swing” by Fragonard which has been rehung after being cleaned.

I did a wonderful series of talks on this picture recently to mark this rehang so was very excited to go and see it. It looks a lot brighter and clearer. The pink is much more distinct and I love the detail, shown here, of the roses in the foreground. I’d never really looked at the picture properly before, as it seems such a cliché, but it’s much interesting than at first glance.

It does make you want to rush to a playground and have a go! There is a playfulness in it, even if we are also meant to be thinking about grown up philosophical subjects too.

No closing date but recently redisplayed


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