Putto zittend op een bok 1512 - 1560

This engraving by Heinrich Aldegrever depicts a putto sitting on a goat. The imagery is rich with classical motifs; the putto, a symbol of youthful innocence and love, contrasts starkly with the goat, often associated with the wild, untamed aspects of nature and, at times, lust. This juxtaposition is not unique to Aldegrever. We see echoes of it in depictions of Bacchus, the god of wine and ecstasy, often accompanied by satyrs and goats, embodying a blend of the divine and the earthly. Consider, too, how the image of a child or angel taming a beast appears across cultures, suggesting humanity's dominion over primal instincts. The putto, gripping what seems to be a vase, perhaps alludes to the containment of chaotic forces. The goat, a figure of both fear and fascination, embodies the subconscious drives that shape our actions. It is through such visual language that Aldegrever taps into a collective memory, engaging us on a deeply psychological level, inviting us to ponder the complexities of human nature. This symbol has evolved to embody new meanings, from a symbol of vitality to one associated with the devil.