Water 1670 - 1726

This engraving called ‘Water’ was made anonymously, and although undated, belongs to a set of prints representing the four elements, likely produced in the Netherlands during the 17th century. Images such as this were popular in emblem books and prints, which would offer moral lessons with visual cues. Here, the putto, or cherubic child, represents the element of water. The location by a pond, the fishing rod and the crab-like creature in its hands, all reinforce the theme. These images often circulated as part of larger sets, revealing the period’s desire to classify and understand the natural world in relation to the human. We can research the popular emblem books of the time and understand the cultural references that the image is making. Considering such cultural and institutional contexts helps us to interpret the artwork more fully.