Fontein met putto zittend op drie dolfijnen 1680 - 1707

This print depicts a fountain with a 'putto' sitting on three dolphins. The artwork was made anonymously, at an unknown date. Consider the historical context from which this image emerged. The putto, a chubby male child, is a motif inherited from classical art, often representing innocence or divine love. In contrast, we have the dolphin, a creature associated with guidance and protection. By positioning a putto atop dolphins, there’s a narrative of vulnerable innocence being guided by protective forces. Such imagery evokes a sense of harmony and idealized beauty. However, it’s important to remember that idealized beauty is often the domain of the privileged. While seemingly innocent, these images reflect societal structures of power and class. What emotions might the artwork evoke if approached from a place of cultural or historical difference?