Twee putti bij een rozenstruik in pot 1675 - 1685

This engraving by Pietro Antonio Cotta features two putti reaching for roses in a potted shrub. The rose, a profound symbol in Western art, extends far beyond mere botanical beauty; it encapsulates themes of love, transience, and spiritual purity. We observe this symbolism echoed through the ages, from ancient Roman festivals honoring Venus, where roses were symbols of love and beauty, to their prominence in Christian iconography, representing the Virgin Mary as the ‘mystical rose.’ Even in Botticelli's “Primavera”, roses are strewn about, signifying fertility and renewal. The putti themselves, these chubby cherubs, are descendants of classical Cupids, embodying a playful, mischievous spirit. Their presence here suggests an innocent interaction with the themes the roses represent. The act of reaching, almost grasping, can be interpreted as a desire to capture or understand these complex emotions. The cyclical nature of the rose, from bloom to wither, acts as a reminder of life’s fleeting moments, a poignant message that continues to resonate through art history.