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Who was Pierre Crozat and how did he support Antoine Watteau?

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Watteau, Antoine: Mezzetin — Antoine Watteau *Mezzetin*, oil on canvas by Antoine Watteau, 1718–20; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. 55.2 × 43.2 cm.

Pierre Crozat was a very wealthy financier and a significant art collector who played a pivotal role in the career of Antoine Watteau.

After being introduced to the artist in 1715, Crozat—a great admirer of Watteau’s work—invited him to reside in his home, a common practice among affluent art patrons of the time. This arrangement provided Watteau with invaluable access to Crozat’s extensive collection of Italian and Flemish drawings and paintings, which included works by masters such as Correggio and Anthony van Dyck.1

Living as Crozat’s guest allowed Watteau to study and apply the lessons of these Italian masters to his own work. Additionally, while staying at Crozat’s residence, Watteau painted the gardens and countryside surrounding the patron's villa at Montmorency. Although Watteau eventually left the household to seek greater personal independence, he and Crozat remained friends.1