Element lucht als kind dat bellen blaast op wolk 1648 - 1665

This print, made by Cornelis van Dalen II, depicts a cherubic child amidst swirling clouds, playfully blowing bubbles. This is an allegory of air, of "Aer" as the inscription tells us. Bubbles, ephemeral and iridescent, have long served as symbols of the transience of life. From ancient vanitas paintings, reminding us of our mortality, to Dutch Golden Age art, where they signify the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures, bubbles are visual metaphors. The cherub itself, a figure drawn from classical antiquity and Christian art, represents innocence and divine love. These putti can be traced back to ancient Roman depictions of Cupid, the god of love, who was often portrayed as a chubby child, and evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of a lost golden age. The image taps into our collective memory, evoking a sense of melancholy, for this understanding of the ephemeral is deeply ingrained in the human psyche. This is a symbolic language that transcends time.