Friezen met putti 1668

Editor: This drawing by Hubert Quellinus from 1668, titled "Friezen met putti," made using ink and engraving, presents two decorative friezes teeming with putti – cherubic figures – and swirling foliage. It feels incredibly ornamental, almost excessively so. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Ornament is the keyword here! "Friezen met putti" provides an interesting look at the Dutch Baroque’s appropriation of classical motifs, but filters them through a distinctly mercantile lens. This piece, like much decorative art of the period, speaks to the rising status of merchants and the importance of displaying wealth and refinement within the domestic space. Editor: How does it do that? The putti seem… mythological. Curator: Precisely. The mythological themes elevate the social status of the owner. Furthermore, these friezes are intended to show in minute detail to show affluence with visual display. Note the civic symbolism mingled among these figures. Consider who was commissioning this work, and for what purpose. Do you see any imagery linked to trade or perhaps specific to Amsterdam? Editor: Yes, I spot the coat of arms for Amsterdam held by one of the putti, adorned with a crown. So, this piece connects to civic identity, even in a seemingly domestic setting? Curator: Absolutely. It's not just decoration. The incorporation of Amsterdam’s coat of arms subtly reinforces a sense of civic pride and aligns the patron with the city’s values. In Baroque period the civic power has moved to a level unseen ever. Editor: Fascinating. I assumed it was *just* decorative! I’ll never see baroque ornaments the same way!