Celebrating Peace (Réjouissances pour la paix), three putti with fireworks 1745 - 1771

Nicolas Gabriel Dupuis created this print, "Celebrating Peace," using etching and engraving techniques. The putti, or cherubic figures, are depicted engaging with fireworks, symbolizing celebration, but we might also ask, celebration of what? This image was made during a period of frequent wars and shifting alliances in Europe. Peace, then, was not a constant condition but something to be actively pursued and celebrated when achieved. The imagery promotes the idea of peace as a positive and desirable state, but it also reflects the social realities of a time marked by conflict. To understand this print better, we can look at the broader context of 18th-century France, considering its political climate, social values, and the role of art in shaping public opinion. Prints like this served as a form of propaganda, promoting certain ideas and values within society. Historical sources, such as diplomatic records, personal letters, and other visual materials, can provide valuable insights into the meaning and significance of this image.