Les Préparatifs de la guerre ou Les Apprêts de l’Amour 

Pierre-Paul Prud'hon created this intriguing image of cupids, or putti, rendered in oil. Winged figures, like these, have long been associated with the divine. They act as messengers between the heavens and the earth, embodying spiritual and emotional states. Here, the torch lit by one putto connects to the ancient symbolism of fire, which represents both destruction and passion. Think back to the Greek myth of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods to give to humanity. That original fire became a symbol of enlightenment, but also of rebellion. Now, consider how that potent symbol of the torch has evolved, from antiquity to its resurgence during the French Revolution and up to today, with the Olympic torch as a symbol of peace and international unity. Each adaptation is charged with renewed layers of cultural meaning. Here, we see how images such as the putti and the torch retain a powerful presence in our collective psyche.