Putto met wapenuitrusting 1550

This tiny engraving, “Putto met wapenuitrusting,” was created by Heinrich Aldegrever, a German artist working in the 16th century. Aldegrever lived during the Protestant Reformation, a time of great social and religious upheaval. As an artist, he navigated the complex politics of his era, creating works for both Protestant and Catholic patrons. Here, we see a winged putto, a symbol often associated with love and innocence, struggling to hold up a suit of armor. In a society undergoing immense religious conflict and war, it’s hard not to interpret this piece as a commentary on the weight of violence carried by the innocent. The putto’s awkward pose and strained expression evoke a sense of burden and imbalance. The engraving invites us to reflect on the costs of conflict, and how innocence is often caught in the crossfire.