Putto met een microscoop 1751 - 1816

This engraving, "Putto met een microscoop," was made by Reinier Vinkeles. Notice the putto holding a microscope, a symbol of scientific inquiry, surrounded by a collection of animals, each representing a different aspect of the natural world. In other artworks, the putto is a cherubic figure embodying innocence and divine love, which here is merged with a pursuit of knowledge. Consider the bestiary, the ancient and medieval collections of animals both real and imagined, each carrying symbolic weight. Here, the animals represent the diversity of creation and the human desire to understand and classify it. The appearance of the putto, traditionally associated with religious art, alongside scientific instruments speaks to a shift in cultural values, where scientific exploration gains prominence. It reflects humanity’s enduring quest for understanding, constantly resurfacing and evolving through history.