Liggend ovaal met putto op zeewezen 1573 - 1610

Christoph Jamnitzer etched this oval scene depicting a putto riding a sea creature. Observe how the putto, a symbol deeply rooted in classical antiquity, echoes through Renaissance art. These cherubic figures, initially associated with pagan love and desire, are reborn in a Christian context, symbolizing divine love. The hybrid sea creature, with its dolphin-like form, embodies the fluidity and transformative power of the natural world. Consider how Botticelli’s Venus emerges from the sea, similarly attended by figures embodying nature’s bounty. The image resonates with a longing for a lost paradise, a memory of primal innocence. These symbols of love and transformation create a powerful, subconscious pull, tapping into our deepest desires and fears, forever echoing through the corridors of time.