Herfst 1744

Jacob de Wit rendered this small drawing, "Herfst," in brown ink and wash, heightened with white over a sketch in graphite. De Wit was working in the Dutch Republic during the late Baroque and Rococo periods, a time when the representation of idealized cherubic figures was used to evoke classical allegories. The abundance of cherubs here, combined with the presence of grapes being collected in a bowl, suggests an allegorical representation of autumn, or "Herfst" in Dutch. These figures, while seemingly innocent, reflect the cultural values of the time, particularly around childhood and purity. De Wit’s use of light and shadow lends a tactile quality to the cherubs, making their forms almost palpable. The drawing invites us to reflect on the ways in which innocence and nature have been idealized in art, often masking deeper societal values and beliefs. The cherubs, frozen in their allegorical roles, prompt us to consider the complex interplay between representation, identity, and cultural meaning.