Omlijsting voor Rothenamer 1724 - 1777

This is Etienne Fessard’s etching, an ornamental frame made in the 18th century. Here, a winged putto emerges from the clouds, draped over an oval frame, presenting the name 'Rothenamer.' The cherubic figure, a motif inherited from classical antiquity and embraced by the Renaissance, symbolizes divine love. The 'putto' evolved from the pagan Cupid or Eros, yet its transformation into a sacred figure is laden with cultural memory. We find this symbol echoed in the work of Donatello, where the putto embodies both the innocence and the spiritual potency of youth. Consider how the image of the winged child, once a symbol of profane love, becomes a messenger of the divine. It’s as if the collective unconscious recognized the power of this image. This powerful symbol continues its journey through art history, a testament to the enduring human fascination with love, divinity, and the innocent face of childhood.