Putti at play

Art Historical Context

"Putti at Play" is a delightful 19th-century drawing created collaboratively by French artists Jules-EdmondCharles Lachaise andène-Pierre Gourdet during the second half of the. Executed in graphite and brown wash on paper, this intimate sheet measures just 5 1/16 x 9 5/16 inches, showcasing the finesse of preparatory sketches favored by academic artists of the era. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art through Dodge Fund in 196, it resides in the Drawings and Prints department, highlighting the museum's commitment to preserving ephemeral works on paper. The title evokes the whimsical world of putti—those plump, playful cherub-like figures rooted in Renaissance and Baroque traditions, here captured in joyful motion. Lachaise and Gourdet employ graphite for precise linework and brown wash for soft, atmospheric shading, techniques that lend depth and movement to the scene. This medium was ideal for studies meant for larger decorative projects, such as frescoes or sculptures, reflecting the academic emphasis on lively, mythological subjects amid the era's shift toward Realism and Romanticism. For visitors, this drawing offers a charming glimpse into 19th-century draftsmanship, where classical motifs met modern spontaneity. Its tag "Playing" perfectly captures the infectious energy, inviting us to appreciate the artists' skill in animating eternal innocence on a modest scale.

About the Artist

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise|Eugène-Pierre Gourdet · 1897–1897

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise, born Jules Lachaise on September 2, 1836, in Paris, emerged as a prominent French painter and draughtsman specializing in lavish interior decorations during the Second Empire and beyond. Little is known about his early life and formal training, though he married Berthe Gourdet in 1866, forging a close professional partnership with her brother, the decorator Eugène-Pi...