Fries met vaas en twee putti 1512 - 1560

This is ‘Fries met vaas en twee putti’ by Heinrich Aldegrever, a small engraving made in the 16th century, during the German Renaissance. Aldegrever lived during a time of religious and social upheaval marked by the Protestant Reformation. As an artist, he navigated the changing cultural landscape by creating works for both Protestant and Catholic patrons. This engraving is exemplary of his skills as a printmaker and designer of ornament. The vase, flanked by two putti figures, is a classical motif that would have resonated with the intellectual elite of the time. These figures, often seen as symbols of innocence and beauty, stand here in support of the elaborate vase. The image suggests an idealized vision of childhood. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for a time of innocence, while the spears held by the children, may evoke the militaristic culture of the time. This print not only demonstrates Aldegrever’s mastery of engraving but also reflects the complex interplay of classical ideals, religious beliefs, and social values that characterized the German Renaissance.