Twee putti, één van achteren gezien, bij een plant in pot 1675 - 1685

This print of two putti playing around a potted plant was made by Pietro Antonio Cotta. Although we don't have exact dates for Cotta's life, similar prints were often commissioned to celebrate births or mark significant family events. These winged infants, or putti, are rooted in classical art, and often symbolize innocence and divine love. But consider the bodies: fleshy, androgynous, and caught in playful motion. The artist renders these figures with a sensuality that invites us to question traditional representations of childhood. Are they truly innocent, or is there a subversive eroticism at play? The print also prompts us to think about the power dynamics inherent in the act of representation. Whose gaze are these figures intended for? How might contemporary audiences interpret the depiction of these bodies, considering our awareness of issues around exploitation and innocence? This image, while seemingly lighthearted, is a complex interplay of innocence and sensuality, tradition and subversion.