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This is a drawing of cherubs and a garland. The image features a group of cherubs or putti carrying or playing with a garland of flowers. The drawing is done in a reddish-brown chalk, creating a soft look. The figures are depicted with movement and fluidity through the drapery and posture. The composition shows curved lines of the garland echoing the circular forms created by the bodies of the cherubs. The overall impression is one of liveliness and grace.
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This is a drawing of cherubs and a garland. The image features a group of cherubs or putti carrying or playing with a garland of flowers. The drawing is done in a reddish-brown chalk, creating a soft look. The figures are depicted with movement and fluidity through the drapery and posture. The composition shows curved lines of the garland echoing the circular forms created by the bodies of the cherubs. The overall impression is one of liveliness and grace.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

Angels and Putti Flying with a Garland: Design for a Ceiling

Charles de La Fosse

Date
c. 1675
Medium
red and black chalk with touches of white chalk, squared in black chalk on light gray paper (formerly blue), with later framing line in brown ink
Dimensions
sheet: 25.9 × 40 cm (10 3/16 × 15 3/4 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2022.40.23
Credit line
Gift of Donald Stone
Time span
1651 to 1700
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record

Subjects and terms

  • Angel
  • French
  • plant
  • Cherub
Provenance

Private collection; (unknown sale, Rouen, 14 June 1998, no. 1). (W. M. Brady, New York); purchased 2006 by Donald Stone, New York [1942 - 2020]; bequest to NGA, 2022.

Inscription

in pen and brownk at lower right: No. 8. Lafosse

NGA object ID 136757. 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.