Vignet met twee putti in gesprek op de kade van een haven 1717 - 1783

This vignette, etched by Jacques Philippe Le Bas, presents a scene of putti at play on a harbour’s quay. Note how the putti, derived from classical antiquity, symbolize innocence and divine love. They are not mere decorations but carriers of deep cultural memory. Observe how these cherubic figures echo through art history, from ancient Roman depictions of Cupid to Renaissance paintings where they embody spiritual love. Yet, here, they engage in earthly activities. One is finely dressed, evoking a sense of aristocratic leisure. Consider the barrel-rolling putto, a motif that contrasts sharply with the others' apparent idleness. This recalls the classical theme of "Amor Laborans," where love is intertwined with labor, a concept rooted in ancient moral philosophy. This interplay, perhaps subconscious, between playful innocence and industrious activity might symbolize the dual nature of human existence.