Putto met een bol c. 1506 - 1538

Albrecht Altdorfer created this tiny engraving of a winged putto holding a sphere some time in the first half of the sixteenth century. Altdorfer lived and worked in Regensburg, in what is now Germany. Putti, or cherubs, like the one in this print, are common in Renaissance art. They can allude to religious themes, the innocence of childhood, or to profane love. Here, the putto sits on a bank of clouds and stares down at the globe in his hands. What do you think this represents? Perhaps the artist's own view of the world, or his sense of the possibility of new discoveries? Historical context is vital for understanding images like this one. By researching the artist, the culture he lived in, and the institutional settings in which he worked, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the complexities of works of art.