Ingebouwde rechtshoekige put c. 1574

This is an engraving of a rectangular fountain by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, held in the Rijksmuseum. Notice how the architecture is designed to create a sense of depth, and how the well acts as a connecting point between interior and exterior. Water, a symbol of purity and renewal, flows within this structure, speaking to the cycle of life and the subconscious desire for rejuvenation. The fountain transforms a basic necessity into an aesthetic and symbolic feature. The gears and mechanical elements of the well hark back to the ancient concept of 'Deus ex Machina,' a theatrical device where a machine introduces a god-like figure to resolve a complicated situation. In this context, however, the divine is replaced by human ingenuity, as the mechanics of the well demonstrate man’s control over nature. This shift reflects a deeper change in cultural values. The well's components are integrated into the surrounding architecture, showing how symbols evolve, and how they are recontextualized to reflect changing worldviews.