Fotografische reproductie van decoratie aan plafond, Hotel de Ville, Parijs 1852 - 1853

This photograph by Gustave Le Gray captures a ceiling decoration in the Hotel de Ville in Paris. The prominent figure is that of a classical cherub, or putto, a motif deeply rooted in antiquity. These figures, often associated with love and innocence, trace back to ancient Roman art, where they symbolized divine affection and playful spirits. The cherub rests with a cornucopia, the horn of plenty, overflowing with fruit. The cornucopia, a symbol of abundance and nourishment, speaks to the city's prosperity and well-being. Consider how the image of the cherub has been transmitted and transformed through time. From its origins in pagan art to its adoption by Christianity, where it represents heavenly hosts, the cherub embodies both worldly and spiritual ideals. These images of cherubs have undergone constant adaptation, embodying the cyclical return and transformation of symbols across generations. The potent emotional charge of innocence, the promise of abundance; it all comes back to us.