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Lesson 8. The Swing, Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Before we read the text, have you visited Louvre before? What was the piece of art you liked the most?
Please read the text about this famous sculpture (focus on words in bold):
The Secret of The Swing
In 1767, the French artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard painted The Swing, one of the most famous artworks of the Rococo period. It shows a young woman in a pink dress swinging high in a beautiful garden. A man hides in the bushes, watching her, while another man—probably her husband—pushes the swing. But did you know this painting has a secret story?
In the 18th century, rich people used to love parties, romance, and luxury. The Rococo style, with its soft colors and playful themes, used to be very popular among the French aristocracy. But The Swing was more than just a pretty painting—it was actually a little scandalous! Some say the woman was having a secret love affair with the man in the bushes, and her husband had no idea.
Fragonard didn’t always paint romantic scenes. He used to focus on serious historical paintings, but he soon got used to the lighthearted Rococo style. The Swing remains a symbol of romance and secret adventures.
Please read the text about this famous sculpture (focus on words in bold):
The Secret of The Swing
In 1767, the French artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard painted The Swing, one of the most famous artworks of the Rococo period. It shows a young woman in a pink dress swinging high in a beautiful garden. A man hides in the bushes, watching her, while another man—probably her husband—pushes the swing. But did you know this painting has a secret story?
In the 18th century, rich people used to love parties, romance, and luxury. The Rococo style, with its soft colors and playful themes, used to be very popular among the French aristocracy. But The Swing was more than just a pretty painting—it was actually a little scandalous! Some say the woman was having a secret love affair with the man in the bushes, and her husband had no idea.
Fragonard didn’t always paint romantic scenes. He used to focus on serious historical paintings, but he soon got used to the lighthearted Rococo style. The Swing remains a symbol of romance and secret adventures.
Grammar
USED TO
USED TO
USED TO + Infinitive
Indicates something that happened in the past, but not anymore. Now it doesn't happen.
For example,
When I was a child, I used to go to school by bus.
We use it to describe old habits, or past routine which no longer exists in the present.
Раньше (что-то делал)
For example,
When I was a child, I used to go to school by bus.
We use it to describe old habits, or past routine which no longer exists in the present.
Раньше (что-то делал)
BE USED TO + Gerund or noun
= be familiar with or be accustomed to
we use it when we describe something normal for us.
For example,
I am used to getting up early.
привыкнуть
we use it when we describe something normal for us.
For example,
I am used to getting up early.
привыкнуть
GET USED TO + Gerund or noun
Indicates the process of something becoming normal
For example,
He will get used to getting up early soon.
привыкать (в процессе)
For example,
He will get used to getting up early soon.
привыкать (в процессе)
Try to answer correctly!
| Take the quiz |
In the 18th century, rich people _______ spend their time at parties and fancy gardens. (habit in the past)
| Next |
| Check |
After the French Revolution, people had to _______ a life without kings and queens. (process of adaptation)
| Next |
| Check |
Fragonard _______ paint serious historical scenes before he changed to the Rococo style. (habit in the past)
| Next |
| Check |
Fragonard was _______ painting romantic and playful scenes by the time he created The Swing. (familiar with something)
| Next |
| Check |
At first, the young woman in The Swing felt nervous, but she had to _______ keeping her secret love hidden. (process of adaptation)
| Next |
| Check |
The French aristocracy was _______ luxury and beautiful art before everything changed. (familiar with something)
| Next |
| Check |
Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
Vocabulary
Vocabulary for The Swing
To swing - move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side
качаться
a bush - a shrub or clump of shrubs with stems of moderate length. for example, a rose bush
куст
playful - fond of games and amusement; light-hearted.
игривый
aristocracy - a class or group of people believed to be superior
аристократия
love affair - a romantic or sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other.
любовный роман
lighthearted - amusing and entertaining. (of a person or their behaviour) cheerful or carefree.
беззаботный, беспечный
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Secrets behind the Swing
Vocabulary
Vocabulary for the video
in awe - a feeling of great respect sometimes mixed with fear or surprise
в восторге
overwhelmed - have a strong emotional effect on.
потрясенный
foaming at the mouth - slang - to be extremely angry
but here it's drooling - he is drooling
but here it's drooling - he is drooling
с пеной у рта (но здесь имеется в виду пускает слюни)
commission - an order for something, especially a work of art, to be produced specially.
заказ
raunchy - energetically earthy or sexually explicit.
непристойный
to settle in - begin to feel comfortable or established in a new situation.
располагаться
velvet - a closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, or nylon, that has a thick short pile on one side.
бархат
to glide - move with a smooth, quiet continuous motion.
скользить
Why did they? - Watch a video and try to answer the questions!
| Take the quiz |
Why did the original artist, Gabriel François Doyen, refuse to paint The Swing?
| Next |
| Check |
Why did Fragonard accept the commission, even though he was the second choice?
| Next |
| Check |
Why did Fragonard change the original request for the painting?
| Next |
| Check |
Why does the statue of Cupid hold a finger to its lips?
| Next |
| Check |
Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
Tilda Publishing
Questions to discuss with your teacher:
- Have you visited London? If yes, have you been to the Wallace Collection?
- Is London on your bucket list (places you want to visit?) Why? Why not?
- What famous art gallery is in your country? Have you been there?
- What is your favorite painting? Try to describe it similar to the description in the video.