Voorstellingen van de vier elementen: water 1566

"Voorstellingen van de vier elementen: water" is an etching by Pieter van der Heyden dating back to 1566. It's a small, intricate artwork that depicts the element of water through a symbolic figure and surrounding imagery. The central figure, a bearded man, sits in a pool and pours water from a vessel, while the intricate, decorative frame surrounding him includes seashells, seaweed, and a crab, referencing the marine world. The image is a fine example of Dutch Mannerism, a style that combines classical elements with fantastical details and a complex composition. The print is now part of the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam.