Naakte engel met kransen en kroon omringd door putti 1757

Claude Donat Jardinier created this engraving, "Naakte engel met kransen en kroon omringd door putti," in the 18th century. It depicts a nude, winged figure surrounded by cherubic putti, holding a crown aloft, a common allegorical scene at the time. Made in France, this work reflects the rococo aesthetic that permeated the French court and aristocracy. The themes of love, pleasure, and idealized beauty celebrated in Jardinier's image coincided with the reign of Louis XV and the perceived decadence of the French elite. We can see its institutional position by the way the work reflects academic art traditions through its focus on classical and mythological subjects. It is not critical of such institutions but rather a celebration of them. To fully appreciate this piece, investigate the prints and engravings available at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France to compare it with similar works from the time. This enables us to better understand the social and cultural values that shaped its creation.