Allegory of Reims c. 1768

Curator: This is Charles-Nicolas Cochin le jeune's "Allegory of Reims," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm immediately struck by the warmth of the sanguine drawing. Editor: It's a bustling scene, isn't it? The central figure, a river god perhaps, is almost overwhelmed by the frolicking putti. What might this represent? Curator: Well, allegories often draw upon classical iconography. The female figure with the spear and shield, likely representing the city itself, stands guard over a scene of abundance and prosperity. Reims, after all, was a major center. Editor: So the putti symbolize Reims's flourishing industries, perhaps? Their activity certainly gives the impression of energy and growth. And the architectural backdrop? Curator: That suggests the city’s grandeur. Cochin, in crafting this image, sought to elevate Reims, linking it to timeless ideals of civic virtue and prosperity. Editor: It’s a powerful visual statement about the city’s identity and ambitions. I wonder how the people of Reims responded to this image and its symbolic language. Curator: It offered a vision of themselves and their city, contributing to a sense of shared identity and pride, and perhaps reinforced its political status, too. Editor: A beautiful lens through which to view Reims's cultural and political landscape at the time. Curator: Indeed, an image steeped in symbolic weight and meaning.