Drie putti bij een boom c. 1705 - 1754

This drawing of three putti by an anonymous artist presents us with the well-worn visual codes of classical antiquity, recast for perhaps a very different social purpose. Putti were, of course, a popular subject for artists throughout Europe from the Renaissance onwards, particularly in countries like Italy. The image shows three naked putti in a landscape. One stands holding a cornucopia, while another reads from a book, and a third kneels before them. We might ask ourselves what message the artist is trying to convey here. Is it simply a celebration of innocence and beauty, or is there something more at play? Without any further information about the social and institutional context in which this drawing was made, it’s difficult to say for sure. But by looking at similar images from the period and researching the history of the putto as a symbol, we may be able to unlock some of its secrets. The true meaning of art always depends on its social and institutional context.