Two Children Lifting a Large Box Together
1893
François Lafon's charming semi-circular sketch captures two chubby cherubs teaming up to hoist a mysterious suspended basket or box high in the air. Painted in 1893, this loose, energetic study likely served as a design for a larger decorative ceiling or architectural element, a common task for Academic painters of the time. The soft grey tones and quick, sweeping brushstrokes give the scene a dreamy quality, showing us the artist's raw creative process before the final polish. It's a delightful glimpse into how grand 19th-century French decorations were born from humble, playful beginnings.