Design for a Wall Fountain 1550 - 1620

This drawing, currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, presents a design for a wall fountain, rendered with delicate lines by an anonymous hand. The detailed linework captures a symmetrical arrangement of figures and ornamental motifs. The visual hierarchy places cherubic forms at the structure's crown, cascading down to stylized water streams flanked by female figures. Note how the composition is structured around contrasts. The softness of the human forms is juxtaposed with the rigidity of architectural elements. Consider how the artist uses line to define form, creating depth and texture across the surface. The symmetry here isn't merely decorative; it's a structural principle that guides the eye and establishes a sense of balance and order. This design embodies a dialogue between classical ideals and the ornamental exuberance typical of fountain designs, inviting us to reflect on how form serves function, and how visual structure shapes our perception and understanding.