The Letter, or The Spanish Conversation 1773-1783 France. Jean-HonorÈ Fragonardís highly personal, powerful style emerged after periods of study with both FranÁois Boucher and Jean-SimÈon Chardin, and over five years at the AcadÈmie de France in Rome. Entitled The Letter, or The Spanish Conversation (because of the manís elegant attireówith a doublet of full sleeves and a wide, stiff neck ruffóa costume that was ìin the Spanish modeî), this lively sheet depicts with wit and teasing ambiguity an intimate incident in an upper-class drawing room. The artistís rapid, virtuoso draftsmanship evokes forms with what seems like a minimum of effort, and his powerful handling of brush and wash reflects his ability to capture the effects of light. The interplay between the drawingís broad, free underdrawing and its shimmering veils of wash lend this work its charm and vivacity. The woman in this drawing is said to be Fragonardís sister-in-law, the artist Marguerite GÈrard.. Brush and brown ink and