Fountain head, after the Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons (Paris) 1745 - 1800

"Fountain Head, after the Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons (Paris)" is an anonymous 18th-century print, held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, that depicts two detailed drawings of grotesque masks. The masks are inspired by the "Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons" in Paris, a fountain adorned with four allegorical sculptures, each representing a season. These drawings are likely studies for architectural designs or decorative elements. The fine details, rendered with precise lines and shading, showcase the artist's keen observation of the original sculptures. This print, created during a period of significant architectural development, offers insight into the artistic and technical approaches of the time.