Water 1625 - 1635

Abraham Bosse created this print, "Water," sometime in the 17th century. The central figure gestures towards a fountain, a clear symbol of life-giving sustenance. Water, essential for all life, is here depicted not merely as a natural element, but as a source of commerce and fertility. The motif of flowing water, emerging from the mouths of sculpted fish, is particularly evocative. This pairing can be traced back to ancient Roman fountains, and even further back to the symbolism of Mesopotamia, where fish were associated with fertility goddesses. Throughout history, the fish-water motif has resurfaced—think of Renaissance fountains or Baroque garden sculptures—each time carrying echoes of its primordial connection to life and abundance. The image engages us on a subconscious level, reminding us of the fundamental, life-sustaining power of water, a cycle that has been imprinted in the collective memory of mankind. This symbol is constantly being reborn and renewed in different cultural forms.