putto

American  

[poo-toh, poot-taw] / ˈpu toʊ, ˈput tɔ /

noun

Fine Arts.

plural

putti

1. a representation of a cherubic infant, often shown winged.

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putto British  

/ ˈpʊtəʊ /

noun

1. a representation of a small boy, a cherub or cupid, esp in baroque painting or sculpture See also amoretto

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Etymology

Origin of putto

1635–45; < Italian: literally, boy < Latin putus

Example Sentences

A little plaster putto Cézanne had in his studio — familiar from one of his greatest fruit-strewn still lifes, in the Courtauld Gallery in London — appears several times here as a lumpy, unwieldy assemblage.

From New York Times

This show includes several other small bronzes by Verrocchio, including the recently conserved “Putto With a Dolphin,” from 1465 or a little later, which was the first Renaissance sculpture made to be beheld from 360 degrees.

From New York Times

In the middle of the set, a pinstriped putto peed into a fountain.

From New York Times

But the gilded figure of a plump, graceful cherub, or putto, nagged at him, and when he finally did buy it, in 2012, it set him off down an art-historical detective trail that made him glad he followed his instincts.

From New York Times

Because of Mr. Butterfield’s research, attribution for the Boston putto may now be re-examined.

From New York Times