Leeuw en leeuwin verscheuren putti 1594

Editor: So, this engraving from 1594 by Nicolaes de Bruyn is titled "Leeuw en leeuwin verscheuren putti", or "Lion and Lioness tearing apart Putti". It definitely makes you feel uneasy, these little cherubs being attacked by wild animals. How do you interpret such a disturbing image, especially given its historical context? Curator: It’s vital to consider what these putti represented in the late 16th century. They weren't simply cute babies. Often, they symbolized innocence, or perhaps, more pointedly, uncontrolled passions. Considering the rise of moralizing philosophies in Northern Europe during that time, particularly connected to emerging Protestant ideologies, what public message might such imagery convey? Editor: So, it's less about the literal violence and more about a symbolic message directed towards society at the time? Could this be some kind of political commentary? Curator: Precisely! Prints like these often circulated widely, shaping public opinion and reinforcing certain values. Perhaps this print comments on the destructive nature of unchecked primal desires consuming youthful innocence. We also see this imagery in emblems – collections of symbolic illustrations. Have you studied emblems before? Editor: I haven't, but that makes perfect sense. Like visual sound bites with embedded social critiques. Given it’s a print, I’m curious about its availability, and where people might have viewed it. Curator: These prints were relatively accessible compared to paintings and sculptures. People viewed them as single sheets, or within bound emblem books. Consider the power of this multiplied exposure when examining art. That it could directly contribute to reinforcing contemporary belief systems and political messaging. Editor: This has made me see it with entirely new eyes. Before, it just seemed gruesome, now I see the historical intention behind it. Thanks so much for your insight. Curator: It's a pleasure to consider how socio-political forces shape even seemingly straightforward artworks. Always remember, images are rarely neutral.