Watteau Drawings at The Royal Academy of Art

The Sackler Wing of the Royal Academy of Arts is gloriously light and airy, so it's a shame it has to be so dark to protect the Watteau drawings presently on show there.It's a bit of a strain to see the artworks but necessary, I suppose.

Jean-Antoine Watteau was an elusive artist, and not much is known for certain about his life. He never signed or dated his work, and nothing of his handwriting remains. His career was short lived, he died at the young age of 37, and so there is a certain mysterious element to his work.

I felt touched by the RA’s new exhibition of this great French artist. They display a beautiful collection of delicate drawings, some that have never been shown before. Most of the works are studies, either created by Watteau to satisfy his own curiosity or in preparation for a painting. Even from the first few pictures it is clear to see what a fine draftsman he is - the drawings are original and sensitive and are done with great precision, though there is also a lovely sense of movement. Often the figures are placed independently on the page, with no background, this isolates the expression making it all the more powerful.

The drawings develop as his palette changes: greater description is possible when he begins to use black and white to complement the red chalk. Watteau depicted everyday subjects such as busy shop floors but also had a fascination with more imaginative ideas. He is known particularly for developing the ‘fete galante’ genre that shows a vision of high society enjoying the countryside. Romantic scenes show the emotional reserve of the rich and the importance of even the smallest gestures. He had a great ability to create texture and tone even in a drawing made with just one colour of pencil.

Watteau may be better known for his paintings, but from this carefully curated exhibition of his exquisite and subtle drawings, I think it’s clear he had a lot more to give.

Exhibition continues until 15 June 2011, book here.

Dior Illustrated and Matthew Williamson exhibitions at Somerset House

Dior Illustrated is the latest offering on show at Somerset House, in a space previously used for the Margiela show which I enjoyed there a few months back. This is not a fashion show, or a show of clothes, although there are a few on display. Instead this exhibition celebrates the work of Rene Gruau, specifically his brilliant illustrations for Dior. Here we can see examples of how a book cover can alter the way we perceive things, especially in a business as fickle as fashion.

John Galliano importantly said of the artist:

‘To be inspired by Dior is to be inspired by Rene Gruau. His sketches capture the silhouette and spirit of Dior and a new era of fashion and femininity. His illustrations are timeless, ever youthful, ever faithful to the moment he saw; they capture the energy, the sophistication and daring of Dior, and equally are tokens of an enduring friendship.’

Gruau and Dior were great friends and this connection can be seen through the work shown, produced through bouncing off each others creativity, but with a central shared vision. There are certain themes that recur throughout the exhibition: flowers, attitude, line and silhouette. I found this show quite discreet and quietly relaxing to look round. The dainty pictures are hung in one large hall so it is easy to wander calmly without the pressure of a crowd behind you.

The work on display is simple and beautiful, though a little repetitive. Most of the pictures are drawn for the advertising of Dior’s perfumes, seductive and passionate, luring you into buying the scent. There are also some comical drawings for the men’s range, poking fun with risque nudity and suggestive poses.

The final part shows the work of other contemporary artists taking on Gruau’s main motifs. For me this rather ruined the exhibition, the pictures are verging on tacky, completely different in mood to the elegant Dior drawings and don’t fit with the show at all. Why curators feel they must modernise exhibitions baffles me.

As a bonus, afterwards I spent twenty minutes looking at the free Matthew Williamson show. A bijou exhibition celebrating the English Fashion designer's significant influence on the fashion world. It is nicely arranged and consists mostly of bright photographs taken from his first catwalk show or from magazine shoots. Definitely worth a peek.

Dior Illustrated continued until 9 January, Matthew Williamson is on until 30 January.