Allegory of Fire c. 18th century

Editor: So, this is Jean Daullé's "Allegory of Fire." It's a print, and the cherubic figures playing with what looks like lightning immediately give it a playful, chaotic energy. What do you make of it? Curator: The controlled chaos is wonderfully deceptive! Daullé, with his engraver's precision, captures fire not just as destructive, but transformative – almost alchemical. Those little cupids aren't just mischievous; they're elemental forces, playing with the very building blocks of the world. Makes you wonder, what are they going to ignite next, eh? Editor: I didn’t think of it that way, seeing them as forces of nature is fascinating! Curator: It’s all about perspective, isn't it? Now, what if we saw those flames as passion, inspiration, or even just the spark of an idea? Daullé gives us more than just fire, he hands us possibility itself.