The First Steps c. 1780 - 1785

Editor: Jean-Honoré Fragonard's painting, The First Steps, shows a sweet family scene. It feels very staged, yet also warm. What do you see in this piece, beyond the obvious family dynamic? Curator: The rosy palette and verdant setting speak of a certain vision of domesticity. Note how the dark background frames the light figures. It's a stage, as you say. But what symbols do you see? The dog? The flowers? Editor: I guess the dog represents loyalty, maybe? And the flowers are just... pretty? Curator: Perhaps. But consider the rose, the queen of flowers, often associated with the Virgin Mary, love, and secrecy. Fragonard's use of such symbols imbues this seemingly simple scene with layers of meaning. What do you think about that? Editor: I did not realize how much symbolism was layered into everyday scenes. I see it in a new light now! Curator: Exactly. Symbols bridge cultural memory, giving the ordinary a deeper resonance.