Design for a Fountain with a River God, Dolphins and other Figures 17th century

This is an anonymous design for a fountain with a river god, dolphins and other figures, made with pen and gray wash. During the Renaissance, fountains were not only functional but also symbolic displays of power and civic virtue. The river god, a common figure in classical art, often embodied the spirit and vitality of a region's waterways. The dolphin, a symbol of transformation, would play into the idea of transition and abundance. In thinking about the anonymous creator, we might consider the artist's position within a workshop or the potential constraints placed upon their individual expression. We are left to consider how this work continues or challenges established visual vocabularies, and how its themes of power, nature, and mythology resonate across time.