Two Seated Putti n.d.

This drawing, “Two Seated Putti,” resides here at the Art Institute of Chicago and presents us with an interesting study in form. Rendered in sanguine, a red chalk, two cherubic figures are delicately sketched against the paper's pale surface. The composition strikes a playful balance; one putto reclines above, limbs akimbo, while the other is seated below, reaching out as if engaging with an unseen world. Look at how the artist uses line and gesture to convey a sense of movement and weightlessness. The sinuous curves and soft shading create a sense of volume, yet the figures remain ethereal, not quite tethered to reality. There’s a clear emphasis on capturing the idealized human form, typical of classical artistic traditions, but the artist’s exploration of dynamic poses moves beyond mere imitation. The arrangement challenges our perception by subtly playing with asymmetry and perspective. This work is an exploration of line, form and space to convey a sense of liveliness and divine playfulness.