Drie putti bij een vaas 1784 - 1826

Jacob Ernst Marcus created this drawing of three putti by a vase, most likely in the late 18th or early 19th century in the Netherlands. The image shows three putti, chubby male children that are often found in classical art. The putti are depicted around an ornate vase, one reaching into the vase, another holding a staff, and a third leaning against the vase. Drawings like this were often made in preparation for larger works, such as paintings or sculptures, and studying them can tell us much about artistic training in the period. It's important to remember that artistic creation was fostered by institutions such as the Guild of Saint Luke which maintained strict control over who was allowed to practice as an artist. By studying preparatory drawings like this one, along with guild records and other archival sources, we can better understand the social and economic conditions that shaped the production of art in the Netherlands during this period.