De inspiratie van de dichter 1726 - 1746

François Boucher rendered this drawing, "The Inspiration of the Poet," with delicate strokes. Here, the poet is not alone; he's surrounded by cherubs, winged figures often associated with divine inspiration. These cherubs, reminiscent of ancient depictions of Eros or Cupid, embody the driving forces behind artistic creation, particularly love and desire. Yet, these figures carry a history far older than Boucher's time. We see echoes of them in the putti of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and even further back to classical antiquity, where winged figures symbolized spiritual and emotional inspiration. Observe how this symbol of divine inspiration has been translated into the artistic realm. It's not a god or muse bestowing wisdom but rather these playful, almost mischievous cherubs, reflecting a shift toward a more humanistic view of creativity. This motif carries with it centuries of longing, desire, and the profound human need to create, constantly resurfacing and adapting, proving that some symbols never truly fade away.