Paper

Student Artwork Guide

the kitchen

Nicolas Lancret

Name Class Date
Nicolas Lancret, the kitchen. Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Nicolas Lancret originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/nicolas-lancret/
Artist’s dates
1690 – 1743
Movement
Baroque Dramatic, theatrical pictures using deep shadow and strong diagonals to pull you into the action.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Nicolas Lancret died in 1743; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1813.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

the kitchen — Nicolas Lancret Part 1 · The artwork

In context

the kitchen — Nicolas Lancret

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1690
  2. 1700
  3. 1710
  4. 1720
  5. 1730
  6. 1740

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 53 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Nicolas Lancret (1690–1743) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1730 Main working years: 1730–1738 Late works: from 1738

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/nicolas-lancret-the-kitchen-8LT2X6-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Black #070202

    Catalogued palette

    • #070202
    • #340F0F
    • #B7642E
    • #791B17

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Black
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Nicolas Lancret over the last twelve months — 11 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 53.8%
    2. 2 Hong Kong 12.1%
    3. 3 France 8.8%
    4. 4 United States of America 8.8%
    5. 5 Germany 5.5%
    6. 6 Singapore 3.3%
    7. 7 Netherlands 2.2%
    8. 8 Saudi Arabia 2.2%
    9. 9 Australia 1.1%
    10. 10 Spain 1.1%
    11. · 1 other countries 1.1%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Nicolas Lancret

    1. 1 Spring, 1738 10.0%
    2. 2 Lady and Gentleman with two Girls and a Servant, 1742 7.3%
    3. 3 L'Innocence 4.5%
    4. 4 Picnic after the Hunt, 1735 3.6%
    5. 5 Dance in a Pavilion, 1730 3.6%
    6. 6 La Camargo Dancing, 1730 3.6%
    7. 7 The Music Lesson 3.6%
    8. 8 The Servant Justified, 1740 2.7%
    9. 9 Mademoiselle de Camargo Dancing, 1730 2.7%
    10. 10 Le Repas Italien 2.7%
    11. 11 Luncheon Party in a Park, 1735 2.7%
    12. 12 The Bird Cage 2.7%
    13. 13 LA LECON DE MUSIQUE 2.7%
    14. 14 The Seat of Justice in the Parliament of Paris in 1723, 1724 1.8%
    15. 15 Company in the Park 1.8%
    16. 16 Concert in the Park 1.8%
    17. 17 The Four Ages of Man Old Age, 1735 1.8%
    18. 18 Lovers in a Landscape, 1736 1.8%
    19. 19 The Four Times of Day - Morning 1.8%
    20. — the kitchen this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 63.2% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 112 works by this artist, of which 54 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    the kitchen — Nicolas Lancret Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Nicolas Lancret

    Born in Paris, France

    Nicolas Lancret: A Life in Rococo Charm

    Born: Paris, France (January 22, 1690)

    Died: Paris, France (September 14, 1743)

    Early Life and Training

    Nicolas Lancret's artistic journey began in Paris, where he was born in 1690. While detailed records of his early life are scarce, it is known that he received initial training under Pierre d’Ulin, a respected history painter. A pivotal moment arrived when he encountered the work of Antoine Watteau, whose influence profoundly shaped Lancret's artistic direction. He subsequently studied with Jean-Baptiste Gillot, who himself had been a student of Watteau, further solidifying his connection to this influential artistic lineage. This period of training laid the foundation for Lancret’s distinctive style, characterized by its lighthearted depictions of Parisian society and celebrations of fêtes galantes.

    Artistic Style and Notable Works

    Lancret became renowned as a brilliant portrayer of everyday life within French society during the Regency of the Duke of Orleans and the early reign of King Louis XV. His artistic style is marked by charming scenes of balls, fairs, village weddings, and other social gatherings, reflecting the tastes and manners of his time. He excelled at capturing the spirit of Rococo elegance and frivolity.

    Notable Works:

    Le Déjeuner de Jambon (Chantilly, Musée Condé, 1735): A quintessential example of his genre scenes, depicting a convivial ham breakfast with lively figures.

    La Servante Justifiée (1735-1740): Showcases Lancret's ability to portray domestic scenes with wit and charm.

    Le Jeu des Quatre-Coins: A playful depiction of a popular game, capturing the energy and amusement of social interaction.

    Marie-Anne de Camargo (1730): A portrait demonstrating his skill in depicting fashionable figures.

    Influences and Legacy

    Lancret’s artistic style bears a clear resemblance to that of Watteau, often leading art historians to compare the two. While some critics have considered Lancret's work to be somewhat less profound than Watteau's, his ability to capture the essence of French society in the 18th century has secured him a significant place in art history. His paintings are celebrated for their lightheartedness and charm, offering valuable insights into the social customs and aesthetics of the Rococo period. Lancret’s influence can be seen in later artists like François Boucher. His works reside in prestigious collections worldwide, including the National Gallery and the Musée d'Orsay, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire appreciation for French Rococo art.

    Development and Historical Significance

    Throughout his career, Lancret demonstrated a gradual evolution in his artistic approach. While initially heavily influenced by Watteau, he developed a more distinctive style characterized by livelier colors and a greater sense of harmony between figures and their surroundings. His later works, such as Montreir de lanterne magique and Family in a Garden, are considered to represent the peak of his artistic achievement, showcasing an increasing ability to create depth and intimacy within his compositions. Lancret’s historical significance lies in his contribution to the Rococo movement and his ability to document the social life and cultural values of 18th-century France through his charming and accessible paintings.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for the kitchen

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/nicolas-lancret-the-kitchen-8LT2X6-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Lancret, Nicolas. the kitchen. n.d., https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/nicolas-lancret-the-kitchen-8LT2X6-en/
    APA
    Lancret, Nicolas (n.d.). the kitchen [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/nicolas-lancret-the-kitchen-8LT2X6-en/
    Chicago
    Nicolas Lancret. the kitchen. n.d. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/nicolas-lancret-the-kitchen-8LT2X6-en/
    Harvard
    Lancret, Nicolas (n.d.) the kitchen. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/nicolas-lancret-the-kitchen-8LT2X6-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    the kitchen — Nicolas Lancret Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    the kitchen — Nicolas Lancret

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 2 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: still life, death, greed. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Look back at Picnic after the Hunt (1735), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    the kitchen — Nicolas Lancret Part 4 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    What color intensity does "the kitchen" by Nicolas Lancret have?

    "the kitchen" by Nicolas Lancret shows a monochromatic color intensity.

    What is the dominant hue of "the kitchen" by Nicolas Lancret?

    The dominant hue of "the kitchen" by Nicolas Lancret is warm sunset tones. The hue is the underlying tone of the palette.

    What is the color identity of "the kitchen" by Nicolas Lancret?

    The color identity of "the kitchen" by Nicolas Lancret: an earthy palette, dominated by black (#070202).