Old Masters Drawing of Putti with Sheaves of Wheat
18th century, Italian
Red Chalk, pencil, laid paper 
16 1/2 x 10 3/4 (22 1/2 x 16 1/4 frame)

The passe-partout frame is original, made by hand according to the rules of the ancient art with blue washes and walnut ink.
 
Putti, in Bacchanals, which were celebrations of Dionysius (Bacchus), they represented fertility, abundance, the spirit of the fruit of life and were often depicted in wild revelry.
 
A sheaf of wheat symbolizes immortality and resurrection. But, like many symbols  they can have more than one meaning. For instance, the sheaf of wheat can represent the Body of Christ and/or as a divine provision for the people of God which in this case would be bread. The partaking of food, bread-wheat-can also represent a long life. 
 
Moreover, the wheat represents those who are truly repentant: the chaff, those like the Pharisees and Sadducees, who are not.