L’Essay du Bain – Gallant Scene at the Well

Pater was a pupil of Rococo painter Jean-Antoine Watteau. Commissioned, like his teacher, by court society, he painted genre scenes and fêtes galantes in the refined style of the time. This small painting, done in the pastel tones typical of the period, shows an amorous scene by a small pond with overgrown vegetation and a fountain. A man is shown flirting with a lady whom he is perhaps attempting to persuade to come bathing. Another lady has already removed her bodice and overskirt and is testing the water with her feet. Here, Pater renders a scene removed from strict court etiquette, such as the aristocracy liked to fantasise.

HABERSATTER Thomas: Pater Jean Baptiste, L’Essay du Bain – Gallant Scene at the Well, object description for the exhibition "Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg" (23.2.-3.7.2022)