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Friendship, Useless Friendship, and Hate

Charles-Nicolas Cochin II

1774

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Friendship, Useless Friendship, and Hate is a 1774 chalk by Charles-Nicolas Cochin II, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Charles-Nicolas Cochin II
When & what style?: 1774 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows three figures in a tight group. The woman on the left stands behind a pedestal with the words *"Consentir"* and *"Morceler"* carved on it. She holds a wreath and looks down at a man kneeling beside her, who grips his head in his hands. Behind them, another woman leans in, her face turned slightly away, as if whispering or reacting. The kneeling man’s posture suggests pain or despair, while the two women seem to represent contrasting forces—one offering comfort or judgment. The words on the pedestal hint at themes of agreement and division, fitting the title *Friendship, Useless Friendship, and Hate*. Next, check out the National Gallery of Art, Washington to see more works like this.