Twee putti 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos created this drawing of two putti, or cherubic figures, using pen and gray ink, sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century. During this period, putti were common motifs, often used to represent innocence, love, or divine intervention. The putti are floating on clouds, surrounded by symbols like a laurel wreath and a spear. The laurel is generally a symbol of triumph. These details suggest a context of power, honor, and perhaps the glorification of military prowess, reflective of the political climate during that time. What resonates with me is the intimacy and vulnerability captured in the soft lines of their bodies. The artist captures a tender moment of childlike innocence, but also hints at how these images can be used in the service of more complex social and political messages.