Twee putti die palmbladeren vasthouden before 1689

This print shows two putti holding palm branches, and was made by an anonymous artist. Although we don't know exactly when this print was made, we can still learn something about its cultural context. The putto—a chubby, winged child—is a motif that goes back to classical antiquity, but which was revived in Renaissance Italy. As such, this image draws on a classical visual vocabulary to convey its meaning. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, prints like these would have been circulated widely as models for other artists, and also as popular images for collectors. In the context of Early Modern Europe, the combination of classical and Christian symbols here might suggest ideas of renewal and triumph, often seen in the imagery of the period. Art historians draw on various resources— primary documents, cultural histories, and institutional records — to understand the original meaning and function of art objects. By considering this print within its historical context, we see how art can be both a reflection of and a contributor to cultural values.