Pictures from Dresden at the Royal Academy

Contemporary Review, June, 2003 by Donald Bruce

Into Watteau's Fete Galante recede ephemeral lawns and the ephemeral lovers reclining upon them, as they drift into vague distance through tree-tangled light. One lover, indeed, is already a transparent wraith, through the fading of Watteau's glazes, the thin layers of successive diaphanous colours which enhance the sense of evanescence Watteau sought to convey in his fetes. Though his chevaliers are fluent, and faintly half-win the attention of their distractedly listening demoiselles in their silky striped dresses that cling to, then loosen from, their coquettish forms, they all pursue separate dreams. One lady delicately pushes away an admirer who has presumed to slide his arm around her waist. Her fingers are as light as the puckers in her silks. A small girl, oblivious of the tiny drama, toys with the float of the lady's hair, which has slipped from her topknot, perhaps as a result of her admirer's tentative advance. Less oblivious are the couple passing by, who archly glance over their shoulders at the suitor's faux pas. Was his ill success due to the neighbouring statue? There Venus, with a teasing smile, has confiscated Cupid's arrows. At the top of the statue's ivy-wisped plinth a satyr's mask mocks the ceremonious transience of all these mortals.

Masterpieces from Dresden continues at the Royal Academy until 8 June, 10.00 to 18.00 daily, with extended opening to 22.00 on Fridays. Admission costs [pounds sterling]7.50, with concessions. Further information: Tel. 020 7300 8000 or (www.royalacademy.org.uk)