Menukaart met kinderfiguren die een tafel vullen met gerechten c. 1850 - 1900

This menu card presents a playful tableau of childlike figures, actively engaged in preparing and serving a feast. These cherubic beings, reminiscent of classical putti, symbolize abundance and celebration. They appear throughout the history of art, from ancient Roman mosaics to Renaissance paintings, often in scenes of festivities and revelry. Observe how these figures are arranged: some ascend a ladder laden with dishes, while others bear the weight of a boar, a symbol of plenty and indulgence. Consider the shared act of lifting and serving, reflecting the communal nature of dining and the subconscious desire for sustenance and joy. This visual language extends back to ancient harvest festivals, where similar motifs celebrated the bounty of nature. However, here, the association with food elevates the everyday act of eating to a symbolic ritual, charged with emotional weight. It reveals how symbols transcend time, carrying cultural memory and engaging us on a deep, psychological level.