Haardplaat met kroon tussen putti

About this artwork

inscription: ‘ANNO 1695’

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the glow of a 17th-century hearth,Haardplaat met kro tussen putti* (Firescreen with Crown Between Putti) a striking anonymous cast metal artwork dated to 1695 or later. Measuring 104 cm in length, 73 cm in width, and weighing a substantial 73 kg, this piece was designed to shield walls from fireplace heat while serving as a canvas for ornamentation. The inscription "ANNO 1695" etched into its surface anchors it firmly in the late Baroque era, a time when such firebacks became popular in Dutch and Flemish homes. Crafted through the labor-intensive casting process—molten metal poured into intricate molds—this firescreen exemplifies the technical prowess of period metalworkers. Its central motif of a crown flanked by playful putti (cherubic figures symbolizing joy and divinity) evokes grandeur and festivity, possibly alluding to royal or civic heraldry. Firebacks like this transformed utilitarian fireplaces into statements of wealth and taste, blending functionality with artistic flair amid the prosperous Dutch Golden Age. Today, this anonymous masterpiece offers a tangible glimpse into domestic life, where everyday warmth met symbolic splendor. Visitors can imagine it radiating heat and light in a grand burgher’s hall, a testament to enduring craftsmanship.

About the Artist

anonymous

In the vast tapestry of art history, "Anonymous" stands not as a singular individual but as a collective designation for countless unidentified creators whose works have endured across millennia. These artists, spanning prehistoric cave painters to medieval illuminators and folk craftsmen, produced the foundational layers of human visual culture. Prior to the Renaissance, when individual fame emer...