Putti Testing a Man’s Perception of Depth
c. 1613
Peter Paul Rubens brings his signature Baroque flair to this playful sketch, where three mischievous, famously chubby putti decide to prank a serious scholar. The bearded man, surrounded by celestial globes and bookshelves, reaches out tentatively as one of the winged toddlers thrusts a stick toward him to test his depth perception. It’s a delightful contrast between the heavy, intellectual world of the old philosopher and the chaotic, energetic innocence of childhood. Rubens was a master at capturing dynamic movement, and even in a simple drawing, you can feel the putti giggling as they mess with the old man's senses.
- Technique
- Pen and ink with wash
- Material
- Paper
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