Putti with a Medallion 1740 - 1778

Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen created this oval oil painting called "Putti with a Medallion." The eye is immediately drawn to the arrangement of cherubic figures set against a serene blue backdrop. Eisen constructs a composition that marries the celestial with the earthly, achieving a Rococo aesthetic. The outer frame mirrors an inner medallion held aloft by these putti, creating a ‘mise en abyme’ effect, destabilizing the boundary between the art object and its representation. The artist uses soft pastel hues and delicate brushwork. The careful placement of light and shadow gives volume to the figures. The composition creates a dynamic interplay between surface and depth. Eisen invites us to consider the painting as not just a visual delight, but as a contemplation on representation, perception and the elusiveness of meaning.