L'enfant qui joue avec l'Amour 1769 - 1770

Curator: Stepping into the Baroque period, we find ourselves before "L'enfant qui joue avec l'Amour," dating back to 1769-1770, attributed to J.F. Clemens. Crafted with the delicate precision of engraving, it’s a small but potent work. Editor: My first impression is…mischief. It feels like we’ve caught these chubby cherubs in a moment of playful—or maybe not-so-playful—quarrel. There's a certain tension despite the childlike roundness. Curator: Precisely. Clemens captures a dual narrative of innocence and struggle. The contrast between the figures—one almost stealing the dove from the other—symbolizes love's complexities. Are they wrestling over love? Defending it? Even corrupting it? Editor: Visually, I’m intrigued by the composition. Clemens has used dense, intricate lines, hallmarks of baroque engraving, to render light and shadow. Observe how the tonal variations amplify the figures, drawing our eyes into their contentious interaction. The figures are sculptural due to this meticulous hatching. Curator: Indeed! And note the broken bow and scattered quiver beneath their feet—symbols of Cupid's power undermined. This juxtaposition serves as commentary on the vulnerability and fickleness often intertwined with love. Perhaps it’s even suggesting that, left to children, love becomes mere squabble. Editor: Or, seen differently, could it imply the relentless nature of love? No matter what chaos erupts, its symbols lie scattered but still visible. And there’s even a tiny bird visible at the feet of the child in the shadows. Is this a glimmer of hope amid the turmoil? Curator: It’s wonderful how these fine lines can be viewed from multiple angles—as with love itself, right? A playful scuffle filled with allegory… Editor: Leaving us pondering whether love is something to be protected, fought over, or even liberated from the hands of clumsy innocence. Curator: An allegory elegantly framed through meticulous artistry. Editor: I wonder what kind of drama these cheeky infants will have next.