Three Putti crowned with flowers 

Jean-Honoré Fragonard made this painting of three putti sometime in the 18th century, using oil paints and a canvas support. Fragonard was a master of Rococo, the style of his day, and his handling of the oil paint is crucial to the effect. Look closely and you will see how he used visible brushstrokes to give an impression of the cherubic forms. He layered different shades of color to capture the play of light across their bodies, resulting in luminous and sensual depictions. This wasn't just about capturing likeness; it was about creating an atmosphere, and celebrating the pleasures of vision. Fragonard was part of a system of artistic production based on apprenticeship and specialized skill. To be a painter in 18th-century France was to participate in a complex social economy, involving both extraordinary talent and a certain amount of craft. Ultimately, these paintings are about technique and its performance, and an appreciation of the artist’s hand.