Cherubs

A cherub is a type of spiritual being mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and cited later on in the Christian biblical canons, usually associated with the presence of God. The plural can be written as cherubim,cherubims or cherubs. In modern English the word cherub is sometimes used for what are strictly putti, baby or toddler angels in art. Defined often as chubby male child figure in nude, sometimes winged. Putti are distinct from cherubim, but some English-speakers confuse them with each other, except that in the plural, “the Cherubim” refers to the biblical angels. While “cherubs” represent the second order of angels, putti are secular, profane and present a non-religious passion. However, in the Baroque period of art, the putto came to represent the omnipresence of God. A putto representing a cupid is also called an amorino (plural amorini).