Design for a Frieze 1700 - 1800

This anonymous design for a frieze from the 18th century, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts three figures in a delicate, almost ethereal style. The composition shows a winged cherub playfully interacting with two nude figures, a female and a male, who seem to be reclining and reclining in a harmonious pose. The design evokes a sense of classical elegance and grace, characteristic of the Rococo period, which was known for its intricate ornamentation and playful subject matter. This sketch, likely intended for a decorative purpose, demonstrates the artistic taste of its time, favoring both the divine and the sensual.