Two Winged Victories Adorning a Trophy and a Fountain Supported by Two Youths, from the Destailleur Album of Drawings after Roman Antiquities c. 18th century

Editor: This sketch by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, titled "Two Winged Victories Adorning a Trophy and a Fountain Supported by Two Youths," feels classical but also a little dreamlike. I’m curious, what symbols stand out to you in this work? Curator: The "Victories" themselves are fascinating. Wings denote swiftness and spiritual ascension. Consider how the winged figure has evolved over time: from ancient Greek Nike, to Christian angels, to modern symbols of freedom. What feelings do wings evoke for you? Editor: A sense of liberation and possibility. I never thought about how they change over time. Curator: Exactly! And notice how the youths supporting the fountain become structural elements, blurring the line between idealized form and functional support. It speaks to enduring human aspirations. Editor: That’s such an interesting point, thank you!