The Caged Dove
1735
François Boucher captures the playful, flirtatious spirit of the Rococo era with this charming scene of two chubby cherubs. One mischievous putto triumphantly holds up a turtle dove, seemingly about to trap it in a small wooden cage, while his companion watches with wide-eyed curiosity. Boucher was the ultimate master of French Rococo, famous for his pastel colors and mythological scenes, but he also had a soft spot for these adorable, curly-haired babies. This print, created early in his career around 1735, shows his incredible skill with line and texture, turning a simple allegory of love—often symbolized by caging a bird—into a delightful, almost cheeky moment.
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