Two putti seated on clouds

Art Historical Context

In the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, *Two Putti Seated on Clouds* (second half of the 19th century) captures a whimsical moment crafted by French artists Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise and Eugène-Pierre Gourdet. This intimate work, measuring just 5 11/16 x 5 13/16 inches, depicts a pair of plump, playful putti—those cherubic child figures rooted in Renaissance and Baroque traditions—lounging atop fluffy clouds. Acquired through the Dodge Fund in 1967, it exemplifies the enduring appeal of these joyful motifs in 19th-century European art. Rendered in oil paint over graphite, the piece blends the precision of preparatory drawing with the luminosity of paint, a technique that allowed artists to refine sketches quickly for larger decorative projects, such as frescoes or ornamental panels. This hybrid medium highlights the collaborative spirit between Lachaise and Gourdet, likely academic painters who drew on classical iconography to evoke innocence and divinity. Putti like these symbolized love, playfulness, and the divine in art history, from Raphael's frescoes to Rococo extravagance. Here, their serene, cloud-perched pose invites viewers to ponder the heavens, offering a delightful glimpse into 19th-century studio practices and the timeless charm of mythological whimsy.

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...