L'Allée des Fontaines at Pratolino c. 17th century

This is Stefano della Bella's "L'Allée des Fontaines at Pratolino", an engraving rendered in ink on paper. The fountains are a prominent feature here, each a vessel from which water springs, suggesting vitality and abundance. These are interspersed amidst a garden space where groups of people socialize. The fountain as a symbol, a font of life, echoes through history, from ancient Roman baths to the elaborate displays of the Renaissance. Yet, its meaning has shifted. Originally a practical source, it evolved into a decorative expression of power and prosperity. Think of the Trevi Fountain; its spectacle serves to impress upon us the grandeur of Rome. Here, the fountains are placed in a garden that serves as a setting for social gatherings. They invite viewers to ponder the ever-changing relationship between humanity and nature, and to consider how symbols, like water itself, are in constant flux, reflecting the passage of time.