Definitions

1. noun

A small figure of a child, typically male, in Renaissance art, often depicted as a chubby, naked, or semi-naked youth, originally used to represent Cupid or the Christ child.

“The museum’s collection included a beautiful Baroque putto, delicately carved from marble.”

2. proper noun

A putto is a specific type of figure in Renaissance art, often used to represent a particular theme or subject.

“The putto in Michelangelo’s ‘The Creation of Adam’ is a famous example of this artistic motif.”