Wit, Jacob de – Putti met spiegels, 1725-1744 Rijksmuseum: part 4

The composition presents a group of cherubic figures suspended amidst a cloudy expanse. These beings, seemingly playful and unrestrained, are engaged with ornate mirrors of varying shapes and sizes. The artist has arranged them in a dynamic cluster, creating a sense of movement and lightheartedness.
Here we see the putti positioned at different levels within the pictorial space, some actively gazing into their reflections while others appear to be interacting with one another or simply observing the scene. Their poses are relaxed and naturalistic, conveying an impression of innocence and carefree joy. The flesh tones range from pale pinks to warm browns, skillfully rendered to suggest volume and form. A few figures are draped in simple garments – a red cloth around the waist of one, a yellow sash on another – which add subtle color variations without disrupting the overall sense of ethereal lightness.
The mirrors themselves are significant elements within the work. Their elaborate gilded frames contrast with the soft, diffused light of the background and the smooth skin of the figures. The reflections visible in these mirrors do not offer precise representations; instead, they seem distorted or fragmented, hinting at a playful manipulation of perception. This suggests that the painting is concerned with themes beyond mere representation – perhaps exploring notions of self-awareness, vanity, or the subjective nature of reality.
The cloudy backdrop contributes to the dreamlike quality of the scene. The artist has employed loose brushstrokes and subtle gradations of color to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The cracks visible on the surface of the painting add a layer of visual texture, contributing to its aged appearance and suggesting a history beyond the immediate moment depicted.
Subtly, the arrangement of the putti and mirrors could be interpreted as an allegory for artistic creation itself – the figures representing artists or muses, while the mirrors symbolize the act of self-reflection and the distortion inherent in translating reality onto canvas. The overall effect is one of whimsical charm combined with a deeper intellectual engagement with themes of perception and representation.