L'Air (The Air): A Group of Three Putti on Clouds
Original title: L'Air (The Air): A Group of Three Putti on Clouds
kurzbeschreibung
Louis Marin Bonnet made Die Luft (L'Air) in the 18th century as a copperplate engraving in the red-chalk manner known as crayon-manner, one of the prints with which he imitated the look of a chalk drawing. Three putti recline on clouds in playful poses. The motif personifies the element of air and stands as a typical example of the Rococo.
Description
Three putti have settled on a bank of clouds. The one in front holds a bird in his hand, the middle figure looks upward, and the one behind leans to the left. Their wings are slightly open, suggesting movement and lightness. The setting stays bare, drawing attention to the figures and the clouds. Red chalk and red ink on paper produce a palette of red and brown tones. Crisp, richly detailed lines, characteristic of the 18th century, give the arrangement its strength.
Context
The Frenchman Louis Marin Bonnet is known for his innovations in printmaking, above all for crayon-manner, which reproduces chalk drawings with deceptive fidelity. The sheet dates from the 18th century, when the Rococo, with its decorative and playful motifs, set the tone. Putti were enormously popular in this period, often appearing as personifications of the elements or the seasons. A group of putti embodying air follows an established iconography that was widespread in European art.
Impact
Cheerful and carefree, the scene rests on soft forms and the warm red-chalk colouring. Dynamic poses and open wings create a lightness that draws the viewer into the action. The sheet radiates the graceful, elegant aesthetic typical of the Rococo.
Technique
A crayon-manner copperplate engraving, the print mimics the effect of a chalk drawing. Red ink was used to achieve the look of red chalk. Fine lines and hatching give a soft, painterly surface. It was printed on paper; the sheet measures 52.4 x 40.3 cm, the plate 45 x 36.6 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)