Drakenfontein in de tuin van de Villa d'Este te Tivoli Possibly 1670 - 1717

Pieter Schenk rendered this vivid scene of the Drakenfontein at Villa d'Este in Tivoli with etching around the turn of the 18th century. Dominating the landscape are the statues of classical gods and heroes, symbols of power and virtue drawn from ancient Greece and Rome, which signified the patron's cultivated tastes. The dragon motif at the fountain's core is particularly striking. Dragons, as symbols, wind through cultures worldwide. In the West, they often represent chaos and the overcoming of evil. Recall Saint George, who slays the dragon, embodying triumph over darkness, and the many dragon myths across Europe. Yet, observe the Eastern dragon, a benevolent creature of wisdom, closely tied to natural forces and imperial power. The archetype of the dragon persists, adapted through ages and geographies, revealing our collective fascination with primordial power and the subconscious, often conflicting, forces shaping human experience.