Etude d’enfants 1867 - 1869

"Etude d’enfants" is a study of children by the French Symbolist artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. Completed between 1867 and 1869, it showcases the artist’s talent for capturing the innocence and beauty of childhood through the use of charcoal on paper. The artwork displays three figures: a standing child with one hand on their chin in a contemplative pose, a head and shoulders portrait of a child with their hair flowing out, and a full-length portrait of a standing child with their hand behind their head, holding a garment. The use of charcoal creates a sense of softness and lightness, highlighting the delicate features of the subjects. Chavannes’s signature style of simplified forms and muted colors is evident in this piece.