Happy Lovers c. 1751–1755 Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Happy Lovers is a famous painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, a French painter of the Rococo period who was known for his playful and lighthearted depictions of life in the 18th century. The painting, also known as The Stolen Kiss, depicts a young couple stealing a kiss in a lush, green garden.

The painting was created between 1751 and 1755 and is part of a larger series of paintings called The Progress of Love. The series consists of four paintings and was commissioned by Madame du Barry, the mistress of King Louis XV of France. The paintings were originally created for the Château de Louveciennes, a royal residence outside of Paris, and were later moved to the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The Happy Lovers painting is a prime example of the Rococo style, which was popular in France during the 18th century. The Rococo style is characterized by its ornate and decorative nature, with an emphasis on pastel colors, floral motifs, and a lightness of spirit. Rococo art is often associated with the aristocracy and the opulence of the French court.

The painting itself is a representation of love and desire, with the couple captured in a moment of playful intimacy. The woman is shown facing the viewer, with her dress pulled down to reveal her shoulder. The man leans in to steal a kiss, with one both hands holding a dove. The scene is surrounded by lush greenery, with flowers and leaves cascading down the edges of the canvas.

Despite its playful and lighthearted nature, the painting has faced criticism over the years for its depiction of female character. Some have argued that the woman is objectified and reduced to a pleasure object for the male gaze. Others have countered that the painting is simply a representation of love and desire, with both the man and the woman shown as willing participants in the scene.

Regardless of the controversy surrounding the painting, it has become a beloved image in popular culture. The image has been reproduced in various forms, including as a popular cross stitch pattern. Cross stitch is a form of needlework that involves creating a design by sewing small, X-shaped stitches onto fabric. The Happy Lovers cross stitch pattern is a popular choice among needleworkers who enjoy creating romantic and whimsical designs.

The popularity of the Happy Lovers cross stitch pattern speaks to the enduring appeal of romantic imagery in art. Love and desire have been a common theme in art throughout history, with artists from all over the world creating works that depict the complexities of human relationships. From the ancient Greeks and Romans to the Renaissance masters and beyond, art has been used to explore the various aspects of love and desire.

In the Renaissance period, artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo explored the theme of love and desire through their depictions of mythological scenes and religious subjects. One of the most famous depictions of love in the Renaissance is Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, which shows the goddess of love emerging from the sea on a giant shell.

During the Rococo period, artists like Fragonard focused on the more playful and lighthearted aspects of love and desire. The Happy Lovers painting is just one example of this trend, with its emphasis on playful intimacy and romantic fantasy.

The Happy Lovers painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard is a prime example of the Rococo style and its emphasis on love and desire. Despite its controversial nature, the painting has become a beloved image in popular culture, with the Happy Lovers cross stitch pattern being a popular choice among needleworkers. The enduring appeal of romantic imagery in art speaks to the universal nature of love and its ability to

This pattern was designed using the following materials:

Fabric: Aida 14, White 350w X 256h Stitches Size: 14 Count, 25w X 18-1/4h in Floss Used for Full Stitches: Type Number Color DMC 310 Black DMC 347 Salmon-VY DK DMC 350 Coral-MD DMC 400 Mahogany-DK DMC 402 Mahogany-VY LT DMC 420 Hazelnut Brown-DK DMC 434 Brown-LT DMC 435 Brown-VY LT DMC 436 Tan DMC 445 Lemon-LT DMC 472 Avocado Green-UL LT DMC 500 Blue Green-VY DK DMC 517 Wedgewood-DK DMC 520 Fern Green-DK DMC 523 Fern Green-LT DMC 535 Ash Gray-VY LT DMC 561 Jade-VY DK DMC 581 Moss Green DMC 612 Drab Brown-LT DMC 632 Desert Sand-UL VY DK DMC 640 Beige Gray-VY DK DMC 644 Beige Gray-MD DMC 645 Beaver Gray-VY DK DMC 648 Beaver Gray-LT DMC 666 Christmas Red-BRT DMC 677 Old Gold-VY LT DMC 728 Topaz DMC 729 Old Gold-MD DMC 738 Tan-VY LT DMC 739 Tan-UL VY LT DMC 745 Yellow-LT Pale DMC 775 Baby Blue-VY LT DMC 780 Topaz-UL VY DK DMC 781 Topaz-VY DK DMC 783 Topaz-MD DMC 801 Coffee Brown-DK DMC 813 Blue-LT DMC 817 Coral Red-VY DK DMC 822 Beige Gray-LT DMC 823 Navy Blue-DK DMC 828 Blue-UL VY LT DMC 834 Golden Olive-VY LT DMC 902 Garnet-VY DK DMC 918 Red Copper-DK DMC 919 Red Copper DMC 920 Copper-MD DMC 921 Copper DMC 922 Copper-LT DMC 931 Antique Blue-MD DMC 934 Black Avocado Green DMC 936 Avocado Green-VY DK DMC 951 Tawny-LT DMC 966 Baby Green-MD DMC 976 Golden Brown-MD DMC 977 Golden Brown-LT DMC 3046 Yellow Beige-MD DMC 3052 Green Gray-MD DMC 3064 Desert Sand DMC 3072 Beaver Gray-VY LT DMC 3348 Yellow Green-LT DMC 3363 Pine Green-MD DMC 3371 Black Brown DMC 3685 Mauve-DK DMC 3752 Antique Blue-VY LT DMC 3765 Peacock Blue-VY DK DMC 3766 Peacock Blue-LT DMC 3770 Tawny-VY LT DMC 3776 Mahogany-LT DMC 3808 Turquoise-UL VY DK DMC 3809 Turquoise-VY DK DMC 3814 Aquamarine DMC 3817 Celadon Green-LT DMC 3822 Straw-LT DMC 3826 Golden Brown DMC 3829 Old Gold-VY DK DMC 3842 Wedgewood-DK DMC 3849 Teal Green-LT DMC 3856 Mahogany-UL VY LT DMC 3864 Mocha Beige-LT DMC 3865 Winter White