Twee op de grond slapende kinderen 1618 - 1655

Cornelis Schut created this small monochrome etching, "Two Children Sleeping on the Ground," in the 17th century. The artist captures a timeless scene: two children, perhaps cherubs, slumbering peacefully on the earth. Throughout art history, the image of sleeping figures, especially children, carries deep symbolic weight. Think of Cupid and Psyche or representations of the Christ Child asleep, symbols of innocence, vulnerability, and the potential for future awakening. The motif of sleep transcends mere rest; it’s a threshold, a state where dreams and the subconscious hold sway. Consider how the image of a sleeping child provokes feelings of tenderness and a protective instinct. This emotional response echoes across centuries. This simple yet profound image invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, a theme that eternally resonates within the human psyche.