Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"The Bird Catchers" ("Les Chasseurs de l'Oiseau") is a captivating rococo painting created by the renowned French artist François Boucher in 1748. Boucher was one of the leading figures of the Louis XV style and a master of the Rococo movement, characterized by its lightness, elegance, and exuberant use of curves and natural forms.

"The Bird Catchers" presents an idyllic scene bathed in gentle light and rich in intricate details. The focus of the painting is on two young figures, a boy and a girl, engaged in the playful act of bird catching in a lush, pastoral setting.

- Foreground: The boy, dressed in casual, rustic clothing typical of the 18th century, reaches upwards with a broad smile on his face as he attempts to trap a bird that has been cleverly lured. His attire consists of a loose, light shirt and breeches, and his vivacious expression is a testament to the innocent joy of childhood. Beside him, the girl, elegantly dressed in a peasant-style yet slightly finer attire, holds a birdcage, ready to enclose the catch. Her flowing dress, adorned with pastel hues and floral patterns, exhibits Boucher's skill in rendering fabric and texture.

- Background: The background is a lush, verdant landscape teeming with life. The foliage is depicted in soft greens and earthy browns, capturing the serenity of the countryside. Delicate trees arch gracefully, framing the youthful figures and enhancing the sense of a secluded, enchanting grove. Boucher’s signature soft brushstrokes create a dreamlike atmosphere, blurring the lines between reality and the idealized world.

- Sky and Light: The sky is a blend of soft blues and whites, with clouds gently drifting to complement the idyllic scene below. The lighting is diffused, casting a warm, gentle glow over the scene and highlighting the fair complexion of the children and the delicate textures of their clothing.

- Career: François Boucher (1703–1770) was an influential French painter, draftsman, and etcher, who gained prominence in the mid-18th century. Known for his pastoral scenes, mythological subjects, and playful rococo style, Boucher enjoyed the patronage of Madame de Pompadour, the influential mistress of Louis XV.
- Artistic Movements: Boucher’s work epitomizes the Rococo movement with its emphasis on light-hearted themes, detailed ornamentation, and an overall sense of whimsical elegance. His paintings often depicted scenes of aristocratic leisure and playful romantic encounters set against fantastical landscapes.

- The original painting "The Bird Catchers" is housed at The Wallace Collection in London, a national museum which displays French 18th-century art, arms, armor, and other decorative arts.

- Technique: Boucher's use of color is masterful; the pastel tones impart a soft, ethereal quality to the scene, and his delicate brushwork brings a tactile dimension to the fabric and foliage.
- Symbolism: The act of bird-catching can be seen as a metaphor for capturing fleeting moments of innocence and joy, representative of the Rococo idealization of a carefree, pastoral life.
- Influence: Boucher’s influence extended throughout Europe, shaping tastes and styles during the Rococo period and beyond. He contributed significantly to the decorative arts, including designs for tapestries, porcelain, and interior design.

Overall, "The Bird Catchers" stands as a quintessential example of Boucher’s art: a harmonious blend of natural beauty, playful innocence, and exquisite detail, all rendered with the unparalleled finesse typical of the Rococo era.