Schilderijengalerij in het Berliner Stadtschloss, Berlijn 1878

This photograph from 1878, captured by Johann Friedrich Stiehm, shows the Schilderijengalerij in the Berliner Stadtschloss. The eye is drawn to the cherubic figures adorning the arched ceiling, a motif with roots stretching back to antiquity. These cherubs, or putti, are not merely decorative; they're symbolic carriers of emotions, ideas, and cultural values. We see them in Renaissance paintings, Baroque sculptures, and even in advertisements today. These figures once conveyed religious ecstasy or divine love. Over time, they have evolved, often secularized, to represent innocence, playfulness, or romantic love. Such recurring images demonstrate a fascinating connection between the human psyche and our visual world. It is a reminder that images are never truly static, their meanings in constant flux, evolving and adapting to new cultural contexts. These motifs resonate on a deep, subconscious level, engaging viewers with their enduring symbolic power.