Vijf putti met bloemen en guirlandes bij vaas 1770

Leendert Brasser made this drawing, "Five Putti with Flowers and Garlands by a Vase," in the Netherlands sometime in the 18th century. The putto image, derived from classical antiquity, experienced a resurgence during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. These figures, often representing innocence and divine love, adorned paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts throughout Europe. Here, the artist employs these figures in service of ornamentation, likely as a study for a larger decorative work. The Rococo style, with its emphasis on lightness, elegance, and playful themes, was in vogue in the eighteenth century. Brasser's drawing would have appealed to wealthy patrons seeking to adorn their homes with fashionable artwork. To fully appreciate the art of this period, we can look at the engravers' manuals, which offer insight into the artistic techniques and aesthetic preferences of the time. Additionally, period documents, such as letters and inventories, help us reconstruct the social and cultural context in which Brasser's drawings circulated. By delving into the archives, we illuminate the complex interplay between artistic production and its reception in the eighteenth century.