Putto 1552 - 1607

Curator: Welcome! We’re standing before a drawing titled “Putto,” attributed to Alessandro Casolani and created sometime between 1552 and 1607 during the Italian Renaissance. It’s rendered in pencil and charcoal. Editor: My goodness, the first thing that strikes me is the chubby cherub floating, no, maybe diving headfirst into… well, nothing. It’s got a certain weightless abandon that makes me grin. Like it’s totally unfazed, which I admire! Curator: The "putto" is a subject rooted in both classical and religious imagery. They represented, during the Renaissance, more than a chubby child but evoked broader philosophical and theological debates, and particularly concepts around innocence. The seemingly casual rendering here, though, almost undermines those serious contexts. Editor: True. But that pose—is he swimming? Is he flying? Looks almost clumsy. Maybe he is the patron saint of blissful imperfection? And the swirling lines…gives him the appearance of being caught mid-motion. Like, "Oops, almost forgot to flap my wings." Curator: His lack of definition may imply that lack of formation that could be attached to these iconographic figures, while connecting the idea of freedom, they also signal an undetermined fate for many infants born outside wedlock or to impoverished families. Editor: I see it! A statement piece about societal woes wrapped in this adorable charcoal cloud of a baby? Tricky! The smudging of the medium suggests movement and softness. Makes me want to reach out to smooth that charcoal… and then realize it's been centuries, and I’d probably make a mess! Curator: Absolutely, these renderings, where the representation is linked to sensitive societal thematics are central for Italian Renaissance art, allowing this drawing to function both as a figure, while referencing very sensitive aspects. Editor: Well, I went from "aww" to a slightly more somber "hmmm." Goes to show you can never judge a cherub by its cover. Or lack thereof, in this case. Curator: Indeed. These layers and contradictions continue to challenge, provoking thoughts across historical context. Editor: Who knew this little sketch could carry such weight? I might just float out of here myself… but responsibly.