Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721) French, Oil on Copper. A gloriously bucolic scene of drunken feasting and reveling in the streets, the aristocrats mingling with the poor thanks to the great unifier: alcohol. Ornately gilt frame, with a plaque bottom middle that attributes it to Watteau and gives a title: "Fete Champetre" ("Country Festival"). 

Overall Size: 22 x 25 1/4 in. 

Sight Size: 15 1/4 x 18 in. 

Jean-Antoine Watteau was born on October 10th, 1684 in Valenciennes, France, and became an influential painter and draftsman who revitalized the waning Baroque style into the less severe, more naturalistic Rococo movement. He is historically credited with inventing the genre of fêtes galantes, which depicted idyllic, bucolic scenes heavily suffused with a theatrical atmosphere, and many of his works had a looser, more sketchlike quality than his more polished contemporaries. His unique, influential artistic style was deeply inspired by the Flemish traditions of Peter Paul Rubens and the vibrant characters of Italian commedia dell’arte, but despite his immense impact Watteau suffered from fragile health his entire life and died of a chronic illness at the young age of 36 on July 18th, 1721. His final masterpiece, The Shop-sign of Gersaint, is celebrated as a brilliant urban meditation on art and illusion, and Watteau’s enduring legacy extended far beyond painting into the decorative arts and fashion, even inspiring the creation of the pleated “Watteau dress” as well as the beginnings of Impressionism. 

  • Condition:

    All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

BIDDER MUST ARRANGE THEIR OWN SHIPPING. Although SEA will NOT arrange shipping for you, we do recommend our preferred shipper Premier Shipping & Crating at [email protected]
You MUST email them, please do not call. If you'd like to compare shipping quotes or need more options, feel free to contact any local Sarasota shippers. You can email any one of the shippers below as well. Be sure to include the lot(s) you won and address you would like it shipped to.
Brennan with The UPS Store #0089 - 941-413-5998 - [email protected]
AK with The UPS Store #2689 - 941-954-4575 - [email protected]
Steve with The UPS Store #4074 - 941-358-7022 - [email protected]
Everett with PakMail - 941-751-2070 - [email protected]

by Sarasota Estate Auction
June 14, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
522 South Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota , FL, US 34236

Sarasota Estate Auction

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 33% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $249 $25
$250 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,499 $100
$2,500 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $19,999 $500
$20,000 $49,999 $1,000
$50,000 $99,999 $2,500
$100,000 $249,999 $5,000
$250,000 $499,999 $10,000
$500,000 + $25,000