Historiae Venetae. Libri XII 1551

This engraving depicts Cardinal Pietro Bembo, made around the time he was seventy-seven years old. Note the cherubic figure at the bottom, a motif deeply rooted in classical antiquity as Eros or Cupid, representing love and desire. This winged child is not confined to the realm of earthly love; it frequently appears in religious contexts, transformed into a symbol of divine love or innocent purity, representing a synthesis of classical forms with Christian ideals. Think of Botticelli's "Mystic Nativity," where angels dance, or Raphael's many putti – these figures, born from classical antiquity, were resurrected in the Renaissance and infused with Christian significance. They engage our subconscious on a deep level, resonating with primal emotions and collective memories tied to innocence and purity. This cherub, like a persistent echo from the past, evolves yet remains intrinsically linked to its origins, showcasing the enduring power of symbols to traverse time, continuously adapting and acquiring new layers of meaning.