Putti spelen zakdoekje leggen 1673 - 1709

This is an etching by an anonymous artist, showing putti playing 'drop the handkerchief'. This image presents us with a window into the cultural and social life of the time, likely made in the Netherlands. The game, which is still played today, speaks to a shared experience across generations. The portrayal of putti, or cherubic figures, goes back to classical antiquity but was revived in Renaissance art, often used to decorate secular buildings and celebrate love and fertility. The association of these figures with play and innocence can be seen as reflecting broader societal attitudes toward childhood. These carefree putti frolicking in a garden setting could represent a nostalgic vision of carefree childhood, far removed from the realities of daily life for many at the time. As art historians, we examine such images through a wide lens, using historical texts, game studies, and cultural analyses to better understand the social meanings embedded in them.