Cartouche geflankeerd door twee kinderen c. 1628

This is 'Cartouche flanked by two children', an engraving by H. Picart. A cartouche is an ornamental frame, and here it is presented with a distinct emphasis on cherubic figures. These figures, often associated with innocence and purity, were also used to convey messages of power and prestige. Picart’s choice to flank the cartouche with children holding trumpets introduces themes of heraldry and announcement. Consider how this imagery might resonate within the context of its time, particularly regarding societal expectations around youth, gender, and class. The cherubs, idealized and nude, evoke classical notions of beauty and virtue. This engraving operates within a visual language of symbolism and allegory, and it invites us to consider the dynamics of representation and the power of visual codes in shaping cultural values.