Bertoldino Whipping Himself to Kill Flies

About this work

This image depicts a small, winged child, known as a putto, standing on a rocky outcropping near a palm tree. The putto is holding a bundle of sticks in its right hand and appears to be whipping itself with it. The child's face is contorted in a mixture of pain and concentration. In the background, a body of water stretches out to the horizon, with a few birds flying overhead. The overall atmosphere of the image is one of quiet contemplation, with the putto's actions seemingly focused on a specific task. The use of etching and drypoint techniques in this image creates a sense of depth and texture, adding to the overall sense of realism. For more on the technique of etching, look up etching.