Deux Amours 

Émile Munier made this painting, Deux Amours, using oil on canvas in France in the late 19th century. It presents an image of two cherubic children, referencing classical imagery of Cupid, the god of love. Munier was part of the academic art establishment of his time. He received his training at the École des Beaux-Arts, and his paintings often catered to the conservative tastes of the Parisian Salon. Note how the smooth finish and idealized figures reinforce a sense of established beauty, a prevalent social value. The use of cherubs also speaks to the cultural obsession of the time. One might consult journals, popular literature, and even fashion plates of the era to more fully understand how the image of the child was deployed in the service of both conservative morality and nascent consumerism. In short, this painting offers itself as an artifact of a particular moment.