Cartouche met een vliegende putto 1630 - 1672

Pieter Jansz. created this ink drawing of a cartouche with a flying putto sometime between 1602 and 1672. Cartouches like this were commonly used in the Dutch Golden Age for maps, portraits, and title pages. They were more than decorative; they were statements of power and status. Consider how the cherubic putto, derived from classical antiquity, contrasts with the sharp, precise lines of the cartouche itself. The putto, a symbol of innocence, is caught in the act of framing. This contrast suggests a deeper commentary on the ways innocence and beauty can be co-opted by systems of power. The blank space within the cartouche invites us to consider who or what is being framed, and for what purpose. Jansz. invites us to reflect on the subtle ways that power and innocence intertwine, leaving us to consider the narratives we choose to elevate and frame.