Fries met putti 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos created this print, "Fries met putti," using etching. Born in the late 18th century, Van den Bos was working in a period defined by shifting social structures and philosophical ideals, moving away from the opulence of the Rococo and toward Neoclassical austerity. This etching is reminiscent of those ideals, reviving classical motifs with a twist. Note the putti, or cherubic figures, rendered with an almost playful quality. They surround a portrait in a circular frame, evoking classical friezes found in ancient Roman art. The depiction of putti, often associated with innocence and purity, can also be read through a contemporary lens. It makes me consider historical attitudes towards childhood, innocence, and the idealization of youth. The linear quality of the etching lends itself to this effect. The artwork serves as a reminder of the past while echoing questions about ideal forms, societal standards, and the ever-changing perspectives that time brings.