Drie soldaten en een putto 1520 - 1561

Battista Franco made this etching, titled 'Three Soldiers and a Putto', sometime in the 16th century. Franco lived in an era of great social and political change, deeply influenced by the Renaissance and the rise of powerful city-states in Italy. Here, three soldiers are depicted in classical armor, their faces etched with the weariness of battle. A putto tugs at the garment of one of the soldiers. This inclusion is especially poignant. Often these figures are associated with love and innocence, which appears at odds with the soldiers' profession. The artist emphasizes the vulnerability and humanity of the soldiers amidst their military roles. Consider the impact of constant warfare on Renaissance society and the artist's attempt to humanize the individuals caught up in this environment. This work prompts us to reflect on the universal costs of conflict.