Autumn c. 18th century

Curator: So, here we have "Autumn," a captivating etching by Louis Félix de La Rue. Editor: It strikes me as lighthearted, almost saccharine. These cherubs look like they're having a rather pleasant harvest. Curator: Indeed. The cherubs, symbols of innocence and abundance, are standard allegorical figures. The grapes, of course, are emblems of Autumn. Editor: Speaking of symbols, are the clouds just a decorative element, or do they point to something more? Are they meant to be heavy with seasonal rain? Curator: Interesting perspective. I see them more as decorative, a Rococo flourish, a soft backdrop for the cherubs' frolic. Editor: Maybe so. But for me, they hint at the more melancholic, transformative aspects of the season. Food for thought, I guess. Curator: Precisely! It’s always revealing to consider the interplay between what we bring to a work and what the artist intended.