First Age of Cupid 1783

Curator: This is Jacques Bouillard's "First Age of Cupid," a print that invites us to consider the intersections of motherhood, love, and societal ideals. Editor: It's incredibly tender, isn't it? There's such a serene, almost untouchable quality to the mother and child, framed so decoratively. Curator: Exactly, the ornate frame emphasizes the constructed nature of these ideals. Bouillard, working in the 18th century, was deeply engaged with the material culture of his time, making prints like this one for wider circulation. Editor: I see it as less about the high and low of art, and more about intimacy. A raw emotion, transformed into something beautiful and shared. Curator: Perhaps. But the print also functioned as a commodity, circulating images of idealized motherhood within a specific social context. Editor: I still feel this overwhelming sense of calm looking at them! Curator: Yes, the composition is lovely. Ultimately, the print invites contemplation on the complexities of love, labor, and representation in the 18th century. Editor: A very lovely thought to end our little chat.