Autumn 1731 - 1765

Curator: Well, this looks… perfectly pleasant! Is it always this sepia-toned? Editor: This engraving, entitled "Autumn," attributed to Louis Félix de La Rue in the mid-18th century, features cherubic figures embodying the harvest season. It’s part of the Met's collection. And yes, that color is inherent to the print itself. Curator: You know, it's the kind of piece I’d expect to find printed on a silk fan. Lighthearted, a bit frilly, and quite charming in a Rococo way. Do you suppose these are Boucher's cherubs? They certainly have his sensibility. Editor: The inscription attributes the original design to François Boucher, yes. Think about what it meant to depict these allegorical figures in such a specific style. The Rococo period emphasized ornamentation and themes of leisure enjoyed mostly by wealthy patrons—which offers insight into societal hierarchies and gendered spheres during that time. Curator: Hmm, leisure for the wealthy, yes. There’s almost a dreamlike quality. I imagine these little chaps floating about, gorging themselves on grapes until the end of time! Editor: Considering its style and period, there's a deliberate choice here to mask broader realities through what some scholars might see as pure frivolity. We have putti here literally embodying the season's abundance while, at that moment, realities were perhaps very different for others. It almost feels irresponsible, doesn't it? Curator: Irresponsible! Well, I see your point, of course. Perhaps its charm can be slightly… cloying at times? But even with all that said, there's an undeniable craft to this engraving, which captures a certain delicate exuberance. It does feel almost a rebellion to other artworks that tackle more somber themes... a denial in the form of sheer beauty and pleasure. Editor: Absolutely! And isn’t it intriguing how something so seemingly simple can spark such complex considerations?