This is a very fine example of the 'fêtes galantes' perfected by Watteau. He included himself as the seated musician playing a musette. The central dancer may be the leading actress Charlotte Desmares, who was mistress of the Duc d'Orleans. Her male dancing partner is Nicolas Vleughels, a Flemish painter, who was Watteau's friend and landlord. The painting may contain a private meaning enjoyed by the two artists. The other figures are based on drawings Watteau made from his direct observations of contemporary society. The painting acquired its present title from an engraving made after it, published in 1732. Signed Imp. F Goulding in graphite Etcher and master-printer of etchings, ran a firm at Kingston House with his brother Charles. Apprenticed to Day & Co. In 1859 assisted James Abbott McNeill Whistler in the printing of his etchings. In the same year, printed a series of etchings by Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort. Among those for whom he printed were Seymour Haden (from 1862), Legros, Whistler and Samuel Palmer, Frank Short, William Strang, Joseph Pennell, Rodin, Tissot, Johan Barthold Jongkind and Robert Walker Macbeth. Set up his own press in 1877. From 1876-1882 Goulding acted as assistant to Alphonse Legros at the National Art Training School. In 1890 at the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, he was elected the first 'master printer' to the society. In 1895 he expanded into lithography, and printed the lithographs exhibited at Dunthorne's in that year (see 1905,0426.1 to 59). Associated with The Astolat Press. The original painting Artist: Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684 - 1721) French Title: Fêtes Vénitiennes Date: 1718 - 1719