Een engel en een kind op een wolk 1622 - 1652

Pieter van Avont created this small etching of an angel and child on a cloud sometime in the 17th century. Dominating the scene are two cherubic figures, one winged, both afloat on a billowing cloud. These cherubs, symbols of divine love and innocence, resonate with a rich history. The motif of the winged child is hardly new; it echoes the ancient Greco-Roman god Cupid, or Eros, often depicted in similar form. In Renaissance art, these figures frequently appear as putti, adorning sacred and secular scenes alike, yet here, the figures seem to reach upwards, a gesture we see repeated across the ages. Consider the orant position in early Christian art, figures with raised hands in prayer; even today, we raise our hands in supplication or joy. The act transcends mere representation; it taps into our collective memory, stirring deep emotional resonances. The gesture of the raised hand, a timeless expression of hope, is a potent symbol of humanity’s eternal quest for connection.