Two hovering putti 

Gaspare Diziani’s drawing “Two hovering putti” captures the essence of 18th-century Venetian artistry. Diziani, who navigated the world of Venetian painting during a time of cultural opulence and social stratification, infuses the sketch with a sense of buoyant freedom. The putti, often interpreted as symbols of divine love, grace, and innocence, were a visual trope deeply embedded in the religious and decorative arts of the time. The free flowing sketch of the putti suggests a desire to break from the rigidity of the art that came before it. There is freedom and movement in this piece that gives it an energy which is difficult to ignore. By capturing the cherubic figures in an intimate, playful embrace, Diziani hints at the emotional and personal dimensions of religious belief. The sketch invites us to reflect on the intimate relationship between the earthly and the divine.