Halved Design for an Altar with Angel and Putti 1700 - 1780

This is a design for an altar with angel and putti, carefully drawn on paper by an anonymous artist. Dominating the structure are the classical columns, symbols of stability and order that stretch back to antiquity, framing the sacred space. Atop this ordered structure sit angels and putti, winged messengers and symbols of divine love, omnipresent in Christian iconography. The presence of putti – cherubic figures – can be traced back to classical depictions of Eros, illustrating how pagan symbols were often adopted and adapted within Christian art. Here, they represent innocent love, a visual echo resonating across centuries, reminding us how art transcends time and cultural boundaries. The flames held by the angel, for example, represent purity and spiritual passion, an emotional symbol designed to ignite devotion in the viewer. Such images, charged with emotional intensity, affect our subconscious, revealing the enduring power of symbols to evoke profound feelings. This design embodies a cycle, resonating and resurfacing, adapting and evolving with each passing era.