François Boucher is the man responsible for inflicting Rococo on Europe.

According to famed art critic Denis Diderot, "That man [Francois] is capable of everything except the truth." While that's a solid enlightenment burn, it's a little difficult to pinpoint exactly what part of Boucher's semi-charmed kind of life Denis is attacking. Boucher basically ran the 18th century Paris art scene. Early in his career, he won the coveted Prix de Rome, which should have included an all expenses paid trip to Rome so he could study the Italian masters. But, one of the king's main men had it in for Francois and tied up the money. So Franny worked his fanny off and raised the money himself. 

It wasn't long after returning to Paris that Boucher caught the eye of his most important patron: Mme. du Pompadour, chief mistress to King Louis XV. The queen of France called on Boucher to decorate Versailles from time to time, but du Pompadour really had him on speed dial to embellish everything else. For Mme. de Pompadour, Boucher was official painter, art adviser for purchases, art teacher, and a dear friend. Her attention led to the king's. Boucher eventually occupied the two highest offices an artist could hold in Paris: first painter to the king and director of the Royal Academy.

Boucher was a genius when it came to marketing. Under du Pompadour's influence, he became lead designer or director at Paris' largest porcelain and tapestry factories. With such great power, Boucher saw an opportunity to cash in. Suddenly, his designs could be found on teapots and wall tapestries, slippers and fans. If you could wear it or decorate your house with it, Boucher's design was probably all over it. He even buddied up to some of Parisian opera's biggest players, designing sets and costumes for the era's biggest stage hits. You literally couldn't be alive in 18th century Paris without having Boucher's art be a part of the fabric of your daily life. The guy claimed to have made 1000 paintings and 10,000 drawings in his lifetime and the estimate probably isn't far off.

But, Rococo, and Boucher, turned out to be a fad. The people wanted something else and Boucher had nothing but Rococo to offer. Between his artistic version of vertical integration, and pioneering the concept of making art specifically for collectors, he was able to live well to the end.