The Stolen Kiss

Jean-Honoré Fragonard's 'The Stolen Kiss' is a quintessential example of a genre painting from the late Rococo period. Fragonard's facile mastery of oil paint on canvas is evident, with luscious, loose handling of paint embodying the hedonistic spirit of Rococo artwork. The painting captures an elusive, intimate moment of veiled eroticism: an unexpected embrace amidst a lavish interior. The works of Fragonard not only reflect the sensuous, exuberant tastes of the Ancien Régime, but also establish his impeccable reputation as one of the most prolific painters of the era.