Albumblad met twee grote gebeeldhouwde kandelaars c. 1705s

Filippo Juvarra rendered these two grand candelabra designs with pen and ink. Observe how the artist has imbued the candelabras with symbolic weight, particularly through the recurring motif of the putto. These figures, often associated with divine love and innocence, have roots stretching back to ancient Roman art, where they were known as "amoretti." Juvarra reinterprets this symbol, placing it atop the candelabra, thereby elevating the light it holds. This echoes the classical use of putti in Renaissance art, where they signify spiritual illumination and guidance. Consider the dolphin intertwined with the putto on the left candelabra. The dolphin, an ancient symbol of salvation and transformation, appears alongside the putto, perhaps suggesting a deeper, subconscious longing for purity and renewal. This combination evokes a powerful emotional response, engaging us in a symbolic dance that transcends time. The cyclical progression of the putto motif underscores its endurance, revealing how symbols evolve and resurface, laden with new meanings across historical epochs.