The Trevi Fountain, Rome 18th century

This drawing of the Trevi Fountain, Rome, was rendered by Adami in the 1700s. Water, the fountain’s defining element, carries potent symbolism, representing life, purification, and renewal across cultures. Notice how the fountain teems with figures from classical mythology. Oceanus, the Titan god of the sea, commands the central niche. This echoes the ancient Roman reverence for water deities, seen in countless mosaics and sculptures unearthed from villas in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The emotional force of the cascading water engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, evoking primordial connections to life and nature. Yet, this depiction is no mere replication of ancient forms. The Baroque dynamism, with its theatrical gestures and dramatic interplay of light and shadow, signals a shift. Oceanus is no longer the serene deity of antiquity but a powerful, almost turbulent force, reflecting the changing tides of artistic expression. The water’s cyclical journey mirrors cultural memory, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings throughout history.