Vignet met twee musicerende putti 1717 - 1783

Jacques Philippe Le Bas created this vignette of two music-making putti using etching techniques sometime in the 18th century. The image resonates with ideas of beauty, innocence, and harmony. These concepts were very popular in France at that time and were often portrayed in the decorative arts and domestic settings. The Rococo style in particular, favored ornamentation and playful themes. Le Bas's work likely reflected the tastes and values of the aristocratic patrons he served. This print comes out of a culture in which art academies played a key role in shaping artistic standards and careers. Etchings like this one circulated widely and helped disseminate artistic ideas. To learn more, look into the archives of the French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. Consider how this print both reflected and reinforced the social structures of its time.