Putti versieren een sculptuur c. 1670 - 1690

This engraving, "Putti versieren een sculptuur," whose author is currently unknown, presents a scene of cherubic figures adorning a sculpture, and evokes the artistic and cultural values of its time. During this period, images of putti, or cherubs, were not simply decorative; they were laden with cultural meaning. Often representing innocence, beauty, and love, their presence here reflects an idealised vision of childhood. The putti can be seen as figures who are adorning or beautifying the sculpture. The act of decorating is meant to evoke a sense of refinement and elegance in the artistic endeavors of the time. Who were these artworks for? What values and beliefs were putti meant to evoke in their intended audience? The vision of innocence and beauty, so perfectly rendered here, encourages us to reflect on the values we project onto childhood and how these ideals shape our understanding of society and culture.