Design for a Fountain with the Three Graces 1565 - 1575

Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau’s “Design for a Fountain with the Three Graces” from 1565 to 1575 depicts a fountain design with three figures on top of a multi-layered base. The drawing, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a pen-and-ink on paper. This design incorporates elements of classical architecture and sculpture, typical of the Mannerist movement, a style popular in the 16th century. The Three Graces, known as the personifications of beauty, charm, and elegance, are often depicted in art as a group. This design features a fountain with the three graces at the top and a complex, multi-level base. This is a testament to Du Cerceau's expertise in architectural design and a prime example of Mannerist design principles.