Putti at War n.d.

Jacques Philippe Le Bas created this print, titled "Putti at War," in France sometime in the 18th century. Le Bas was a celebrated engraver who reproduced paintings by other artists for a wider audience. This image playfully depicts cherubic putti with weapons and armor. These figures act as allegorical representations of war. This was a common artistic trope in 18th-century Europe, a time when the continent was dominated by powerful ruling families who were almost constantly at war with one another. The print is a lighthearted take on this grim reality. The institutional context of the print, in which Le Bas reproduced paintings, is relevant to its public role. By disseminating paintings in print form, Le Bas helped make art more accessible. In understanding this print, we can look to histories of art, of institutions, and of the political context to illuminate its meaning and significance.