Monumentale fontein met Neptunus c. 1650

This anonymous etching from around 1650 depicts a monumental fountain dedicated to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. The fountain is a grand centerpiece, adorned with a statue of Neptune wielding his trident, standing atop a large, ornate basin. Four seahorses, their tails entwined, sprout from the basin, their mouths spewing water jets. The fountain is situated in a formal garden setting, with manicured trees and a grand building in the background, highlighting the grandeur of this Roman mythological depiction. The etching, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to the artistic flourishing of the 17th century and the enduring popularity of classical mythology.