Hovering cupids 

Curator: Here we have a Baroque drawing attributed to Jacob de Wit, titled "Hovering Cupids". Editor: It's strikingly simple, isn’t it? Almost playful. The lightness of the ink wash gives it a real sense of ethereal movement, even though it is rendered on an angular scrap of paper. Curator: The composition is quite dynamic. Note the confident strokes; they suggest figures in constant flux. De Wit has cleverly utilized light and shadow to give the cupids form. I’m intrigued by the angular shape that is created here – clearly not the norm at this time. Editor: I'm more interested in the practicalities. Ink drawings of this nature – it was a medium accessible even outside formal workshops. It speaks to a broader culture of image-making. One could imagine De Wit churning these out on repeat or quickly drafting it, giving the image the look of someone in production mode rather than deep creation mode. Curator: I agree the informality of the medium shapes our interpretation. There's a freedom here you might not find in an oil painting. The way De Wit renders the folds in the fabric or the chubby limbs of the cupids is masterful and lends this sketch an enduring appeal. Editor: Consider where this piece might have sat historically – the cultural connotations. In Baroque society, were these images mass-produced for decorative purposes, signaling certain class aspirations, or part of preparatory studies for larger paintings, showcasing the artist’s labor and skills within a commercial art system? The imagery feels classical and familiar, perhaps aiming for a wide demographic appeal within the 17th century. Curator: Indeed. Whether sketch or a complete artwork, the careful composition creates something timeless and universally charming in its thematic elements and treatment. Editor: And regardless of intention, we can certainly appreciate the simple ink on paper, transformed by the skill and labor.