Putti and a Young Satyr at Play 1582 - 1647

Giovanni Lanfranco made this red chalk drawing, called "Putti and a Young Satyr at Play," sometime in the first half of the 17th century. We see a cluster of winged putti, or cherubs, frolicking with a young satyr in a loose landscape setting. In 17th century Italy, the Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts. It used art to communicate religious ideas and moral values to the faithful. Lanfranco's drawing reflects this context. The putti are common symbols in religious art representing divine love and innocence. The satyr, with its goat-like features, is a classical figure associated with earthly desires. By showing them together, Lanfranco hints at the integration of classical mythology with Christian themes. To understand this work better, we can research the artist's biography and examine the cultural and religious history of the period. This helps us understand the drawing’s function within the society that produced it.