Two putti seated on clouds 1850 - 1900

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise made this image of two putti seated on clouds, using watercolor and graphite, sometime in the early twentieth century. The visual codes within this work echo those found in the grand tradition of European painting, particularly the cherubic figures that were once common in religious and allegorical works. By the time Lachaise was producing art in the US, such imagery carried connotations of nostalgia or even kitsch. Consider the social and cultural forces in play at the time. Was Lachaise making a statement about the decline of religious faith? Or maybe commenting on the commercialization of artistic and cultural forms? These are the questions art historians ask. Understanding the function of this painting requires us to consider the artist’s intentions, the social context, and the institutions that supported its production. By researching the historical context, looking at other works from the same period, and taking note of the provenance, we can better understand the meaning this work holds within our cultural history.