Vlakdecoratie met bladranken en twee putti 1500 - 1535

This small decorative print, "Vlakdecoratie met bladranken en twee putti," was created by Gilich Kilian Proger, using engraving. The putti, or cherubic figures, are surrounded by lush foliage and evoke classical and Renaissance ideals. They reflect a fascination with innocence, beauty, and a utopian vision of harmony. However, these symbols were mobilized in diverse ways by those in power. During this period, such imagery often appeared in triumphal arches and garden designs, aligning with the cultural elite's self-representation. The details of the foliage and figures could symbolize themes of growth, abundance, and the cyclical nature of life. The putti, often gendered as male, historically embody a narrow representation of the human form, furthering complex questions about the politics of representation and identity. This artwork prompts us to consider the complex ways beauty, power, and identity intersect.