Cherubs and Putti

The drawing Cherubs and Putti, attributed to the celebrated master Possibly Peter Paul Rubens Flemish, 1577-1640, is an exceptional example of a preparatory study from the pivotal period of the Flemish Baroque. Executed on pale brown laid paper, this piece demonstrates a sophisticated combination of media employed by the artist to rapidly capture form and light. Rubens utilized black chalk and black crayon for strong definition and shading, complemented by touches of red chalk to suggest the warm flesh tones and contours of the youthful figures. The composition is further refined by traces of white chalk, which function as essential highlights, lending the forms a three-dimensional quality characteristic of the Belgium school.

The subject matter, featuring clusters of putti or lively, winged angelic children, was a recurring motif in the artist's oeuvre, frequently incorporated into his larger allegorical or religious compositions. This highly kinetic drawing served as a crucial step in Rubens's creative process, allowing him to quickly establish the pose, grouping, and dynamic interaction of figures before committing to a final oil sketch or monumental canvas. The rapid, vigorous chalk strokes suggest the artist’s hand moving swiftly to capture the energy and movement inherent in the composition.

Created sometime between 1597 and 1640, this drawing reflects the height of Rubens’s artistic production and offers valuable insight into the preparatory methods required for his ambitious commissions. The historical and artistic importance of the work is underscored by its presence in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a key example of the master’s drawing technique, high-quality prints of this artwork are often made available to scholars and the public through various public domain initiatives.