The sculpture features two cherubic children interacting with musical instruments and art materials. The child on the left is standing, holding a stringed instrument resembling a lute. The child on the right is seated, holding a small chisel in one hand and a pad of cloth in their lap. Both children have short, curly hair and are naked, although the seated child has a cloth draped across their lap and legs. Below them is a rectangular base with some wreaths and scattered objects around the children. The sculpture is white with grey veining.

Gallery mode Full size at the museum

Poetry and Music

sculptor Clodion (French, 1738 - 1814)

c. 1774/1778

Medium: marble
Classification: Sculpture
Dimensions: overall: 117.6 x 89.1 x 56 cm (46 5/16 x 35 1/16 x 22 1/16 in.) ; gross weight: 390.093 kg (860 lb.)
Culture: French
Museum: National Gallery of Art, CSD
Credit line: Samuel H. Kress Collection
Rights: Public domain (NGA Open Access, CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it: Adult profiles and older: its museum's description or title mentions nudity. How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art

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