Allegory of Painting with Three Cherubs (99)
1749
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1749
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows three chubby cherubs tangled together in a cloudy sky. One holds a tiny paintbrush, another leans on a rock, and the third floats nearby with wings. Their faces are round and curious, and the lines are soft but detailed. The tiny coat of arms at the bottom hints this was a gift for a wealthy official—probably someone important in France. The artist’s name, Demarteau, is signed in the corner. Next, check out Baroque to see how dramatic lighting and movement shaped this era’s art.
