'Aqua' in a Decorative Border with Sea Creatures, from a Series of Circular Designs with the Four Elements 1590 - 1612

Crispijn de Passe the Elder created ‘Aqua’ in the late 16th or early 17th century as part of a series of circular designs representing the four elements. During this time, the cultural understanding of the natural world was deeply entwined with classical mythology and allegory. Here, Aqua, the element of water, is depicted as a classical nude female figure, a choice that reflects the period's fascination with the ideal human form and its gendered associations. The female figure is surrounded by sea creatures within a decorative border, suggesting both the abundance and the untamed nature of the sea. Consider the perspective of women during this era. Representations like this, while seemingly celebrating the feminine, often confined women to symbolic roles, distancing them from real-world power. Representations such as these invite us to reflect on how ideals of beauty and femininity were constructed and how they influenced women's identities and their place in society. This print, with its layers of symbolism, encourages us to reflect on the relationship between the human and natural worlds. It also highlights the cultural values and gender dynamics of the time.