MARGUERITE GÉRARD

One of a number of female painters to exhibit in France in the 18th century, Gérard specialized in tender scenes of mothers and children. Her paintings exemplify the purest Enlightenment principles of virtuous childrearing. Though swings often appear in 18th-century French paintings as tools for amorous pursuits, allowing a young man the pleasure of viewing a young lady’s ankles, Gérard paints this one as nothing more than a simple child’s toy.