Boy with a Carrot

Rococo pastel portrait of a young boy in profile holding a carrot, signed François Boucher 1738

François Boucher

A young boy turns in profile, clutching a simple carrot in his small hands. Boucher captures the child's soft features and innocent expression through delicate pastel strokes on warm buff paper. The intimate scale and tender observation reflect the Rococo period's fascination with domestic life and fleeting moments of childhood. The asymmetrical composition draws focus to the boy's gentle gaze, creating a sense of quiet contemplation. This charming portrait demonstrates how even the most modest subjects can reveal profound humanity through masterful artistic observation.