Putti met grafsteen 1737 - 1754

Benedikt Winkler created this print of putti with a tombstone in the eighteenth century. The composition is dominated by the cherubic figures, rendered with delicate lines that convey a sense of softness and volume. They cluster to hold up a blank tombstone, evoking a play between lightness and the weight of mortality. Winkler’s mastery is evident in the engraving's intricate details and the skillful use of line to model form. The putti, symbols of innocence, contrast with the solemn gravestone, creating a tension that speaks to broader philosophical themes of life, death, and memory. The semiotic elements— hourglass, globe, and scroll— are signifiers of time, knowledge, and the earthly realm, all resting atop the slab. Ultimately, this print functions within a cultural discourse about remembrance and the transient nature of existence. It does not offer fixed meanings but encourages viewers to reflect on these eternal themes.