Watteau
JEAN ANTOINE (väto), a French painter; born in Valenciennes, France, Oct. 10, 1684. In 1702 he went to Paris, and earned his bread by working for decorative painters. For many years he struggled in obscurity, but his talent once recognized, he rapidly became popular and prosperous. In 1717 he was received at the Academy, and enrolled as a painter of fêtes ga lantes, that is, pleasure parties, balls, masquerades, etc., subjects in which he excelled. Lightness, elegance, and brilliancy form the chief attractions of his style. He died in Nogent-sur-Marne, July 18, 1721.
WATTENBACH