Putti trekken aan de vleugels van Vadertje Tijd 1730 - 1783

Jacques Philippe Le Bas created this print, "Putti Trekken aan de Vleugels van Vadertje Tijd", sometime in the 18th century. It depicts Father Time being hastened by cherubic putti. The picture’s symbolic language reflects the social and political climate in Europe at the time. The putti, or cherubs, represent youthful energy and the desire for progress. Father Time, with his wings and traditional scythe, embodies the old order and the slow, inevitable march of history. The image suggests a society eager to break free from the constraints of the past and embrace new ideas, very much in line with the enlightenment ideals that questioned traditional institutions. Note the pillar with the inscription “S.P.Q.R. GERMANIA”, which is meant to symbolize power and authority. To fully understand the print, we would need to research the intellectual and artistic circles in which Le Bas moved, as well as the printmaking institutions of the time. Only then can we fully grasp its significance as a commentary on the shifting sands of European society.