Fries met putti 1778 - 1838

Curator: Here we have a drawing titled "Fries met putti," which translates to "Frieze with putti," by Anthonie van den Bos. It was made sometime between 1778 and 1838 and it resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It’s delicate, almost ghostly. The figures are rendered in these soft, faded inks and gentle lines, like faded memories brought to life on paper. There's a playful solemnity to it that really captures my eye. Curator: Playful solemnity, that's lovely! The neoclassical style certainly aimed for that kind of refined exuberance. What's striking to me is van den Bos's rendering of these putti, or cherubic figures, arranging wreaths around a classical bust. It’s an idealized scene, yet you see the labor in those chubby arms, constructing something ornate and celebratory. Editor: Right. Who were these decorations for, I wonder? Was it a study piece? Because the way the material is handled… you can see the repetitive, almost manufactured feeling of the drawing itself, mirroring the putti's own repetitive making of garlands. Ink, labor, garland; the means of production are embedded in the image itself! It makes one think about the economics behind the art making too. Curator: Fascinating perspective! Perhaps it points to the era's fascination with both classical ideals and emerging industrial methods. The putti, these symbols of innocence, become tiny workers in this beautifully rendered visual machine. To consider that the paper and ink itself contribute as part of the social message of the art. This drawing wasn't just pulled from the ether; it’s also from something tangible in the moment and era. It does bring into question what's art and what's labor. Editor: Yes, precisely! A reminder that even ethereal scenes are grounded in earthly processes. Thank you! Curator: The pleasure was all mine.