LANCRET, NICOLAS

born Jan. 22, 1690, Paris, Fr. died Sept. 14, 1743, Paris French genre painter whose brilliant depictions of ftes galantes, or scenes of courtly amusements taking place in Arcadian settings, reflected the society of his time. Lancret was influenced by both Antoine Watteau and Claude Gillot. Much admired as a decorator, he executed numerous commissions for the mansions of many great collectors. Among his favourite subjects were balls, fairs, and village weddings. In 1719 he was received into the Royal Academy, and in 1735 he was made councillor of the Academy. His best-known work is a series of illustrations for the Contes of Jean de La Fontaine.