Antoine Watteau (1684–1721), Gathering in the Open Air, c. 1720;

Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Gemäldegalerie

In the eighteenth century Watteau's scenes of gallantry amid sumptuous park landscapes were the epitome of France's elegant court culture of refined entertainment. Amorous advances and rejection ensue during conversation, a walk, dance and music. The apparently carefree mood is to be seen as the antithesis of rigid court etiquette.