Artwork
Zwei Putti mit Blumen, Früchten und Spruchband
Zwei Putti mit Blumen, Früchten und Spruchband is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Strudel. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1700, this oil painting by Austrian artist Peter Strudel depicts a pair of cherubic figures amid a profusion of flora and fruit. The composition centers on the two putti, one clutching a ribbon inscribed with text, the other gazing upward, while surrounding them are baskets, bouquets, and scattered leaves that convey a sense of abundance.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents an allegorical scene in which the youthful putti symbolize innocence and the pleasures of nature. The ribbon bearing a motto suggests a moral or celebratory message, while the lush arrangement of blossoms and harvest items reinforces themes of fertility, bounty and the fleeting joys of youth.
Technique & Style
Strudel employs the vivid palette and dynamic arrangement characteristic of the Baroque period, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figures and objects. The brushwork balances detailed rendering of the fruit and flowers with a more fluid treatment of the cherubs, achieving a lively, three‑dimensional effect typical of Flemish‑influenced Baroque painting.
History & Provenance
Originally executed for an Austrian patron, the painting entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where it remains on display. Strudel, born in Cles in the Trentino region, spent his career in Vienna, serving the Imperial Court alongside his brother Paul, and contributed to the shift toward High Baroque aesthetics in Austrian art.
Context
The piece reflects the early 18th‑century fascination with allegorical subjects that combined religious or moral symbolism with decorative exuberance. Strudel’s work bridges his sculptural background and the prevailing Flemish Baroque influences, illustrating the broader transition of Austrian visual culture from restrained classicism to a more opulent, expressive style.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Strudel or Peter Strudl (ca. 1660 – 4 October 1714) was an Austrian sculptor and painter. His work forms the transition of Austria to the high baroque style. Strudel was born in Cles, Trentino. Between 1676 (when…
