
Ferdinand TietzÖsterreich, 1708–1777Darf man es sehen?
Öffentlich ausgestellt. Wer dafür bürgt, steht unten.
These airborne cherubs probably formed part of the decorations crowning an church altar. One of the putti holds a heart, which would originally have included a flame (now lost). An expression of religious fervor, the burning heart also referenced the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which in Christian imagery symbolized Christ’s love for humanity.
Cleveland Museum of Art