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Three cherubs are depicted on what appears to be a cloud-like setting. One cherub sits with another intertwined cherub, gazing towards the viewer, featuring curly hair. The second cherub lies across the first, focused on drawing on a scroll. The third cherub is lying down, holding the scroll steady. Each cherub has small wings, a youthful face with chubby cheeks, and wears draping fabric. The background is intricate, suggesting a celestial atmosphere. Text and decorative lion and shield elements are present in the lower section of the image.
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Three cherubs are depicted on what appears to be a cloud-like setting. One cherub sits with another intertwined cherub, gazing towards the viewer, featuring curly hair. The second cherub lies across the first, focused on drawing on a scroll. The third cherub is lying down, holding the scroll steady. Each cherub has small wings, a youthful face with chubby cheeks, and wears draping fabric. The background is intricate, suggesting a celestial atmosphere. Text and decorative lion and shield elements are present in the lower section of the image.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Allegory of Painting with Three Cherubs (99)

Gilles Demarteau the Elder after François Boucher

Medium
chalk manner printed in black on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 42.4 x 29.2 cm (16 11/16 x 11 1/2 in.) sheet: 53 x 39.2 cm (20 7/8 x 15 7/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2011.152.1
Credit line
Ellwanger/Mescha Collection
Time span
1701 to 1725
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • allegory
  • crayon-manner engraving
Provenance

Mr. A. Thompson Ellwanger III and Mr. Gregory E. Mescha, Washington D.C.; gift to NGA, 2012.

Inscription

lower left in plate: Boucher f / à Messire Gaspart Mose de Fontaineu / Conseiller d'Etat ordinaire Intendant et Controlleur / General des Meubles de la Couronne / N. 99 Tiré du Cabinet de Mr. de Fontaineau par son tres humble et tres Obeissaint Serviteur Demarteau L.re

NGA object ID 124683. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.