Water 1573 - 1580

Etienne Delaune created this engraving, titled 'Water,' sometime in the mid-16th century. Delaune, a French artist working amidst the religious and political turmoil of the Reformation, demonstrates his skill as a goldsmith in the precision of this small print. The image depicts Neptune, Roman god of the sea, confidently standing on a seashell, trident in hand, while monstrous sea creatures churn the waters around him. Representations of mythological figures like Neptune were common during the Renaissance, embodying power, virility, and control over the natural world. Yet, these images also reveal the complex relationship between humans and the environment. Delaune's print invites us to reflect on the narratives we construct around our relationship with the environment. Consider how this image captures both the awe and potential threat of the natural world, as well as the human desire to master it.