Putto met twee aangelijnde honden before 1689

Editor: This is "Putto met twee aangelijnde honden," or Putto with Two Dogs on Leashes, an engraving created before 1689, now at the Rijksmuseum, and its creator is unknown. I am fascinated by the image of a winged child – a putto – confidently holding the leashes of these massive dogs. What do you see in this print? Curator: Well, first off, aren't they funny-looking pooches? More like little lions if you ask me! It's curious that we consider such scenes of cherubs as playful today when I feel that the engraving could actually symbolize something deeper. Perhaps it’s an allegory about reason or innocence attempting to control powerful, even wild, instincts. Notice how the swirling foliage seems to both frame and contain the figures? What feeling does the symmetrical design create for you? Editor: It’s sort of like controlled chaos, now that you mention it! There’s a definite structure with the symmetry and those dogs on either side, but then those leafy flourishes are going everywhere. So you see that visual tension relating to this theme of instinct versus reason? Curator: Absolutely! Think of it: this image predates modern psychology by centuries, yet it speaks to these timeless battles we have within ourselves, you know? Reason versus instinct, order versus disorder, maybe even good versus evil, depending on how seriously you want to take those dogs! What do you think of that reading? Editor: It makes me consider that I, too, have little dogs of instinct that I am walking through life! All the more potent in this elegant and decorative package. Thank you for providing clarity and depth to the artwork. Curator: My pleasure! Art is at its best when we draw it into conversation with our own lives. It reflects us in uncanny and inspiring ways.