Vier putti met drie wapenschilden 1657 - 1662

This drawing of cherubic figures holding heraldic shields was created by Pieter Jansz., sometime in the 17th century. Rendered in delicate pen strokes, the work presents an exercise in symmetry, with a central shield flanked by two others, each attended by cherubs in various poses. Consider how Jansz.'s use of line and shading brings these figures to life. Note the swirling ribbons and dynamic gestures of the putti. While ostensibly decorative, the shields' emptiness invites contemplation. What stories might they tell if filled? Is this absence a comment on the transience of power, or an invitation for the viewer to project their own narratives onto these symbols? The drawing destabilizes the traditional function of heraldry as a fixed marker of identity. Instead, it becomes a fluid space for interpretation. This tension between form and potential meaning is characteristic of the Baroque era, reminding us that art is as much about asking questions as providing answers.