The Boucher Room at The Frick Collection was previously installed on the second floor of the house as Mrs. Frick’s sitting room. It was long assumed that Madame de Pompadour, mistress to King Louis XV and a great patron of the arts, commissioned the paintings in this room for her chateau at Crécy. Today The Arts and Sciences series is believed to have been composed in the studio of her preferred painter, François Boucher, for an unknown patron. Complementing the paintings is a distinctive group of decorative art objects: examples of Vincennes and Sèvres porcelain, including a garniture of three covered jars decorated with myrtle leaves and scenes after Teniers; the mahogany writing table by Riesener; and, to the right of the chimney piece, an elaborate dressing table by Carlin. This last piece has compartments for cosmetics, and its upper section separates to serve as a bed table with a mirror and reading stand; it can also be used flat as a small writing desk. In addition there is furniture by Louis-Noël Malle, André-Louis Gilbert, and Godefroy Dester. The paneling, chandelier, and upholstered furniture are modern.

In this SundayArts Choice see some of Chief Curator Colin Bailey’s favorite paintings in the room,  Boucher’s Four Seasons series.