Artwork
Putti with a Medallion
Putti with a Medallion is a wood painting by the Rococo painting artist Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen. It dates from 1759 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen's 1759 painting, Putti with a Medallion, depicts a scene centered on the figures of putti interacting with a medallion.
Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen's 1759 painting, Putti with a Medallion, depicts a scene centered on the figures of putti interacting with a medallion. The work's iconography is defined by these specific elements, which are explicitly listed as the primary subjects of the composition. While the visual arrangement places these mythological child figures in relation to the circular object, the provided sources do not elaborate on deeper symbolic interpretations, allegorical meanings, or specific representational themes beyond the literal identification of the depicted items.
Technique & Style
Putti with a Medallion is a painted composition executed on a wooden panel. The work, dated 1759, measures roughly 64.8 cm in height by 54 cm in width, confirming its status as a small‑scale painting. Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen employed a painted surface on wood, a support frequently used for devotional and decorative pieces in mid‑18th‑century France.
The imagery centers on a cherubic figure clutching a medallion, a motif that underscores the playful yet allegorical character typical of the period. The stylistic handling reflects the decorative character typical of mid‑18th‑century French painting, with delicate modeling and a compact composition that emphasizes the ornamental quality of the medallion.
History & Provenance
Putti with a Medallion was created by the French artist Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen in 1759. The work is painted on wood and depicts putti alongside a medallion. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 07.225.438b. The painting measures 64.8 cm in height by 54 cm in width.
The sources provided do not document the commission circumstances, earlier ownership, or acquisition history of the work prior to its entry into the Metropolitan Museum of Art, so further details of the provenance chain cannot be confirmed.
Overview
Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen created Putti with a Medallion in 1759, a painting on wood. This artwork, housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, presents a celestial scene where winged infants engage with a central framed image. The composition highlights the playful interaction of these figures within a vibrant sky, drawing the viewer's attention to the medallion they present.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen
Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen (1720–1778) was a French artist, born in Valenciennes.
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