Naakte man met drie putti en een fruitmand 1605 - 1678

Paul de Vos created this drawing, "Naked Man with Three Putti and a Fruit Basket," with pen and brown ink, likely in the first half of the 17th century in Antwerp. The figures depicted are drawn from classical antiquity. De Vos has sketched a dynamic scene, filling the composition with bodies. There's a nude male, and three plump putti, or cherubic figures, tumbling around a basket overflowing with fruit. The image presents a vision of abundance and vitality, reflecting the values of the prosperous merchant class in Antwerp at the time. This type of imagery was popularized by Peter Paul Rubens, with whom de Vos collaborated. Its emphasis on the sensual and material world can be understood within the context of the Counter-Reformation in Flanders, which saw the Catholic Church champion art that appealed to the senses. Understanding the social and religious context of de Vos's artistic milieu helps us grasp the image's meaning and purpose. By consulting historical documents and studying the patronage networks of the period, we can gain further insights into the creation and reception of this work.