Vliegende putto met krans 1837

Frans Molenaar created this print of a flying putto with a wreath in the 19th century. During this period, the Netherlands was experiencing a revival of interest in its artistic heritage, often reinterpreting classical and Renaissance themes through a contemporary lens. Molenaar's cherubic figure, while seemingly innocent, exists within a complex history. The representation of the nude form has long been fraught with issues of power and the male gaze. Moreover, the idealization of the human form, particularly in Western art, has often been used to exclude bodies that do not conform to prevailing standards of beauty and respectability. In light of these considerations, how do we feel about this image today? What might it mean to reclaim and reimagine representations of innocence and vulnerability in ways that challenge traditional norms and stereotypes?