Puppies c. 1790s

Editor: Here we have Prud'hon's "Puppies", dating back to the 1790s. It's painted in oil, and immediately strikes me as overwhelmingly sentimental. Look at the soft light, the darling children, the… puppies! What do you see in this piece? Art Historian: Sentimental, yes, and quite masterfully so. But isn't there a touch of something else? Notice how Prud'hon places them beneath a dark, almost oppressive archway. Even their play has a backdrop tinged with shadow. To me, it speaks to the fleeting nature of innocence, a common theme in Romanticism, a little bit of nostalgia clinging to the sweetness, perhaps. Editor: That's a neat observation, that the happiness has some darkness around it. Is that something you find common in art from this time period? Art Historian: The late 18th century… revolutions brewing, societal upheaval… artists often grappled with the fragility of joy. Prud'hon captures it so tenderly here. See the way the children huddle, almost seeking comfort? He poses the question without answering it for us - are the puppies a protection, a distraction, or merely another fleeting joy? Which leads me to another question: notice anything about the dog that's watching over them? Editor: Yes! He almost seems...protective? Whereas the puppies in the little boy’s arms are just precious, he seems to have a weightier presence, or purpose. Art Historian: Exactly. The puppies provide unbridled joy, while the dog that looms a little larger in the image conveys an earthy loyalty that is both sentimental and quite grown-up. In our lives and art, often, the best and purest things are contrasted and thrown into stark relief by time and reality. A fascinating and delightful image to ponder.