Poetry 1731 - 1765

Louis Félix de La Rue created this delicate line engraving titled "Poetry," sometime in the 18th century. Visually, the composition is dominated by the soft, cloud-like forms and the cherubic figures floating within them. The monochromatic palette and fine, intricate lines produce a dreamy and ethereal quality. The symmetry of the figures—one holding a lyre, the other a laurel wreath—introduces a structured contrast against the amorphous clouds. This contrast reflects the essence of poetry itself: the tension between structured form and boundless creativity. The symbolism here merges classical motifs with Enlightenment ideals about the power of art. The cherubs can be seen as personifications of inspiration and artistic labour working in tandem. Notice how La Rue uses line and form not merely to depict but to embody the abstract concept of poetry. The print invites us to consider how art shapes thought and how simple elements can convey complex cultural values. "Poetry" becomes a space for continual interpretation, and the act of viewing becomes a participation in its ongoing creation.