Putto as Saturn 1750 - 1761

This porcelain sculpture, made by the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, presents a putto embodying Saturn. Traditionally, Saturn is a titan of time, depicted as an old man with a scythe, but here, he appears as a chubby, winged infant. The scythe, a tool for harvesting, symbolizes time's relentless passage and inevitable end. Yet, cradled by a putto, it transforms into an emblem of cyclical renewal, much like the seasons. Recall depictions of Chronos devouring his children, a primal fear made palatable through the innocence of a child. This juxtaposition is no accident. It’s a potent visual formula, tapping into our collective memory. The image oscillates between dread and delight, reminding us that time, though a destroyer, is also the wellspring of new beginnings. It echoes through ages, resonating with our deepest subconscious anxieties and hopes.