Amours marquant le temps Francois Boucher (1703-1770)

The composition presents a scene populated by two cherubic figures within a landscape setting framed by an oval border. The foreground is dominated by these winged infants, their bodies rendered with a delicate pinkish hue and soft modeling that emphasizes their youthful form. One cherub actively manipulates a sundial, its hands positioned to adjust the gnomon – the part casting the shadow used for telling time. This action suggests a deliberate engagement with the passage of moments. The other cherub sits nearby, holding a string of hearts, which he appears to be examining or perhaps arranging.
The sundial itself is prominently displayed, its face marked with Roman numerals indicating hours. It leans against a draped fabric that obscures part of the background and creates a sense of depth within the scene. This textile adds an element of theatricality, as if the figures are performing for an unseen audience. The landscape behind them is loosely rendered, suggesting foliage and a distant horizon shrouded in atmospheric perspective.
The presence of the hearts held by one cherub introduces a thematic layer beyond mere temporal measurement. They symbolize love or affection, implying that times passage is intertwined with emotional experience. The sundial’s function – to measure time – is juxtaposed with the symbolic representation of love – the hearts – suggesting a meditation on how these two concepts are linked.
The overall impression conveyed is one of playful allegory. It appears to be an exploration of the relationship between time, love, and perhaps the fleeting nature of both. The cherubic figures, traditionally associated with innocence and divine influence, lend a lightness and charm to this contemplation. The artist’s use of soft light and muted colors contributes to a sense of gentle melancholy, hinting at the inevitable march of time even amidst moments of affection.