Versailles, Coin de Parc 1901

Eugène Atget captured this view of Versailles with his lens, immortalizing a corner of the park in silver gelatin. The sculptural group of cherubs presents us with symbols laden with art historical weight. These figures, crowned with wreaths, evoke classical ideals of innocence and abundance, deeply rooted in Greco-Roman traditions. Note how the cherub raising a wreath in its hand resonates with the gesture of triumph found in countless depictions of emperors and gods. Consider, also, the motif of the cherub itself— a symbol that began as a representation of divine love in religious contexts, specifically Christianity, later metamorphosing into emblems of secular love and playful innocence during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. This visual transformation speaks volumes about the evolving cultural values and beliefs. The cyclical progression of symbols—their resurfacing, evolution, and new meanings—engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us of how the past is constantly reinterpreted in the present.