Putto with Viol 16th century

This bronze sculpture of a "Putto with Viol" was created by Niccolò Roccatagliata, an Italian sculptor who died in 1636. The figure of the putto, a cherubic young boy, draws from classical and religious traditions, embodying innocence and divine love. Roccatagliata renders the putto with a viol, a stringed instrument popular in the Renaissance, associating the figure with harmony, education and refinement. Made at a time when art academies were becoming influential, this piece reflects an interest in reviving classical forms. However, it also emphasizes a Northern European taste for small-scale, bronze figurines. Roccatagliata was an instructor, so it could also have been used as a didactic tool for art students. To fully understand this work, archival research into Roccatagliata's patrons and the artistic institutions of his time can reveal its deeper cultural significance. By exploring the social and institutional contexts, we can appreciate the role this sculpture played in shaping artistic practices and cultural values.