Vijf putti zwevend tussen de wolken 1534 - 1606

Paolo Farinati etched these five putti floating amidst clouds in the 16th century. These winged children, symbols of divine love and messengers, are not new. Consider their ancestors: the ancient Greek Eros or Roman Cupid, deities of desire, often depicted with bows and arrows, much like the central figure here. The putto with the bow embodies love’s capricious nature, a force that can strike anyone, anytime. This motif echoes through art history, yet Farinati’s putti are not mere copies. They reflect the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity, infused with Christian symbolism. Observe how these figures, suspended in celestial space, evoke a sense of lightness. This image reminds us that symbols carry cultural memory, resurfacing in new forms, shaped by the ever-changing currents of human experience and belief.