Baby Satyrs and Putti Playing with Donkey n.d.

Jacob de Wit created this drawing of baby satyrs and putti playing with a donkey using pen and brown ink with gray wash on paper. This piece fits into a long tradition in Western art of depicting mythological or allegorical scenes. Made in the Netherlands, likely in the first half of the 18th century, the artwork shows the influence of classical antiquity and Renaissance art. We see this in the idealized bodies and the subject matter. The putti, or cherubic figures, and satyrs, creatures from classical mythology, suggest a lighthearted and playful mood. But it's worth asking, what function did such images serve in Dutch society at that time? Paintings and drawings like these often decorated the homes of the wealthy, reflecting their education and refined taste. The art market and art institutions of the time encouraged this taste for classical themes. By studying the artist's other works, along with the collecting habits of the Dutch elite, we can better understand the social role of such imagery.