Wine glass with three putti c. 1760 - 1780

This delicate, colorless glass features three putti on its cup. These winged infants, often associated with Cupid or divine love, come to us from classical antiquity. Recall the Eros of ancient Greece, the mischievous god of desire, whose image was later transformed by the Romans into Cupid. In Renaissance art, we see putti populating sacred and secular scenes, representing innocence, playfulness, and divine love. These figures are not merely decorative; they are carriers of cultural memory. Consider how the image of the winged child evolves over time, appearing in countless forms across different cultures. The persistence of these motifs speaks to the enduring power of archetypes in our collective unconscious, revealing our ongoing fascination with themes of love, innocence, and the divine. The playful putti can evoke in us a deep emotional resonance, engaging us on a subconscious level. These symbols do not progress linearly. The image of the putto cycles through history, resurfacing and evolving, taking on new meanings as it is reinterpreted across time.