Schouw met putti 1746

Editor: So, this etching is called "Schouw met putti," or "Mantelpiece with Putti," made in 1746 by Emanuel Eichel. It’s currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. I’m immediately struck by the incredible detail. All the flourishes and ornamentation almost feel a bit overwhelming. What speaks to you when you look at this piece? Curator: Overwhelming in the best way, perhaps? Think of the world in 1746! The Rococo style *was* extravagance. What I love about Eichel here is that he captures not just the *look* of Rococo, but its *spirit*. That playful energy! It’s a design, but also an invitation, isn't it? To revel, to imagine grand rooms and candlelit gatherings. And the putti themselves! What do they whisper to you? Editor: They feel like little storytellers, peeking out from the ornamentation. I hadn't really thought about them as invitations, more as decorations, I guess. Does the design give any hints as to who might have commissioned a fireplace like this? Curator: Ooh, that’s a juicy question! Consider the details—the intricacy, the sheer cost of creating something like this. We are talking serious wealth. Someone who appreciated the *theatrical* and understood that their home was not just a place to live, but a statement. Can you imagine a roaring fire casting shadows across all that detail? The room would almost come alive! Editor: I’m starting to see it differently now. It’s not just decorative; it's aspirational, a statement of power. Curator: Precisely! And perhaps even a touch of playful rebellion against more rigid styles of the time. It's whispering "life is short, decorate boldly!" Editor: I love that – "life is short, decorate boldly!" A great mantra and a completely fresh perspective on this fireplace! Thanks!