Ornamental Frieze of Putti 18th-19th century

Curator: This is Pierre-Paul Prud'hon's "Ornamental Frieze of Putti," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a diminutive piece, barely larger than a postage stamp. Editor: It's like a whisper of a memory. All soft edges and muted tones. It looks as if it’s drawn on a hazy windowpane. Curator: Prud'hon often embraced themes of innocence, love, and mythological narratives, reflecting the Rococo sensibilities that were still lingering even as Neoclassicism was emerging. We might consider what these cherubic figures mean in the context of revolution. Editor: Or maybe it's just a lovely, simple doodle to charm a friend, an ephemeral token that transcends its moment. Curator: I think it reveals the complexities of Prud'hon's historical moment. Editor: Maybe. All I see are sweet little cherubs! Curator: Well, regardless, it invites us to reflect on shifting aesthetic values. Editor: For me, it’s a reminder that beauty can be found even in the smallest, most unassuming things.