Ontwerp voor een hemelbed 1698

This is Filippo Passarini’s design for a canopied bed, rendered with ink. It’s not merely a piece of furniture; it’s a stage for human drama, adorned with symbols of power and Eros. Observe the putti, cherubic figures that populate the bed’s structure. These aren't just decorative elements; they’re the enduring echo of Cupid, the god of love, reborn in Christian art. They are visual carriers of desire and innocence, themes as old as the frescoes of Pompeii. Even the canopy above, reminiscent of a Roman triumphal arch, connects the intimacy of the bedchamber to the grandeur of public life. Consider how these motifs recur throughout history, shifting in meaning yet retaining their primal force. It's as if the collective unconscious has woven itself into the very fabric of our art, resurfacing in Passarini's design. The image resonates with echoes of past triumphs and desires, engaging us on a deeply psychological level. We see not just a bed, but a monument to human passions, forever cycling through time.