Putti rond een wereldbol 1715 - 1798

This red chalk drawing by Dionys van Nijmegen depicts putti encircling a globe, an allegory that whispers tales of dominion and cherubic innocence. The globe, a symbol of earthly power, is here playfully engaged with by putti, creatures deeply rooted in classical antiquity as symbols of love. We see echoes of this motif in Renaissance art where the image of Cupid holding a globe signifies universal love. Yet, observe how the globe here is not merely held, but actively manipulated, suggesting not just affection, but a striving for knowledge, for control, or perhaps, even a critique of earthly ambition. The emotional resonance of these figures harks back to our collective yearning for a return to paradise, an infantile state of innocence, even as they interact with symbols of worldly power. This interplay invites us to consider the non-linear journey of symbols, forever evolving, yet eternally tethered to our deepest desires and fears.