Nicolas Lancret - La soiree - Public domain dedication, National Gallery of Art

Nicolas Lancret was a French painter born in Paris on 22 January 1690. The son of a master tailor, he received his first artistic training from his father. He later studied with the famous painter Claude Gillot, who was known for his scenes of theatrical life. Lancret became known for his genre paintings, which depicted scenes from everyday life. His paintings often showed aristocratic and bourgeois people engaged in leisure activities such as dancing, playing music and socialising. He was particularly adept at capturing the nuances of human behaviour and expression, which made his paintings highly sought after. In 1719, Lancret was admitted to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Paris. He quickly gained recognition for his work and was appointed to the Academy's governing council in 1735. He also served as a professor at the Academy, teaching drawing and painting to aspiring artists. Lancret's paintings were highly influential in the development of the Rococo style, characterised by ornate decoration, lightness and playfulness. He died in Paris on 14 September 1743 at the age of 53. Today, his works can be found in museums and private collections around the world.

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