Horizontale cartouche met twee cherubijnen 1657 - 1685

This horizontal cartouche with two cherubs was created by an anonymous artist. The print provides an intriguing glimpse into the symbolic language of its time. Cartouches like these were frequently used in heraldry and official documents to add a flourish of authority and importance. The cherubs or putti represent innocence, and a connection to the divine, reflecting the values of the cultures that deployed them. Their prominence speaks to the religious and moral expectations placed on individuals, particularly within the context of family and societal structures. At the same time, their nakedness raises questions around the idealization and control of the body. The blank space within the cartouche invites reflection. What narratives are included, and whose stories remain unseen? These empty spaces implicitly address issues of power, representation, and the selective nature of historical records. The artist prompts us to think critically about whose voices are amplified and whose are silenced within broader cultural narratives.