Titelprent met twee putti 1620 - 1657

This print, made by François Collignon, features two putti flanking a central cartouche. These winged infants, often associated with love and divine presence, are not merely decorative; they are carriers of deep cultural memory. The putto on the left, adorned with a helmet and a sash, and the putto on the right with wings sprouting from its back remind me of Eros and Anteros, divine twins who represent love and its requital. Such figures reappear throughout art history—from ancient Roman sarcophagi to Renaissance paintings—each time subtly shifting in meaning. The motif of the putto embodies the human psyche's longing for innocence and purity, yet it also hints at the complexities of desire and the subtle interplay between love and war, echoing themes found in works across various epochs. The persistence of such imagery speaks to its powerful ability to engage viewers on a subconscious level. The non-linear progression of this symbol, its cyclical resurfacing and evolution across different contexts, underscores the enduring human fascination with these fundamental aspects of life and art.