Twee naakte kinderen met een lam 1618 - 1655

Cornelis Schut created this print, "Two Nude Children with a Lamb," sometime in the 17th century. Two cherubic children playfully adorn a lamb with a garland of grapes, a scene imbued with layers of symbolism. The lamb, a symbol of innocence and sacrifice, has roots stretching back to ancient sacrificial rites and early Christian iconography where it represents Christ. Here, the lamb is not presented as a sacrificial figure, but as a gentle companion. Similarly, grapes, often associated with Bacchus and revelry, also appear in Christian art as symbols of the Eucharist and spiritual nourishment. Observe how Schut intertwines these classical and religious motifs, subtly shifting their meanings. This image evokes a sense of pastoral harmony, yet carries echoes of deeper, often conflicting, cultural memories. It invites us to consider how symbols persist and transform, engaging our subconscious as they resurface across epochs.