Studia puttów do plafonu ‘Pochód weselny Amora i Psyche’ 1863

Józef Simmler created this study of putti for a ceiling fresco using graphite. Two cherubic figures dominate the composition. The putto, or cherub, has ancient roots, appearing in Hellenistic art and later adopted by the Romans. Initially, these figures were associated with pagan deities, like Eros, embodying love and desire. As Christianity rose, they were reinterpreted, becoming symbols of divine love, often adorning religious scenes. Notice how Simmler’s putti, with their playful innocence, evoke a sense of nostalgia for classical antiquity. The motif of the putto, born in the ancient world, has persisted across millennia, its meaning shifting yet retaining a core association with love. The image of these divine infants stirs something primal within us; a yearning for innocence and beauty, reminding us of the cyclical nature of history and how ancient symbols continue to shape our present.