Artwork

Putti Preparing the Interior Decoration of a Mansion

Putti Preparing the Interior Decoration of a Mansion, by Charles-Nicolas Cochin II, ink, 1738
Putti Preparing the Interior Decoration of a Mansion, by Charles-Nicolas Cochin II, ink, 1738

Putti Preparing the Interior Decoration of a Mansion is an ink print by the Baroque artist Charles-Nicolas Cochin II. It dates from 1738 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Charles-Nicolas Cochin II's 1738 etching, Putti Preparing the Interior Decoration of a Mansion, depicts a lively scene of putti (mythological chubby children) engaged in decorating a lavish interior.

Subject & Meaning

The putti are shown undertaking various tasks: moving furniture, wielding tools, and arranging elements within an ornately carved room, complete with a mirror. One putto struggles with a heavy beam, assisted by others, highlighting cooperative effort.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching proof on laid paper, the work features sharply defined lines achieved through the etching process: scratching into metal plates, then inking the scratched lines to produce dark, pronounced marks on a light background.

History & Provenance

Created in 1738, specific details regarding the print's provenance and exhibition history are not provided in the available information.

Context

Reflecting 18th-century European artistic preoccupations with both classical motifs (putti) and contemporary domestic luxury, the etching may comment on the era's decorative arts and the role of labor in creating opulent spaces.

Legacy

The legacy of Putti Preparing the Interior Decoration of a Mansion is not explicitly detailed in the provided sources, suggesting its impact or influence on subsequent art or design may require further research for clarification.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.