Fontein met buste Apollo after 1724

Georg Lichtensteger made this print of a fountain with a bust of Apollo sometime in the 18th century. The fountains that Lichtensteger designed for aristocratic patrons in the German lands were statements of political power and wealth. The mythological figure of Apollo, god of music and poetry, stands above the fountain and is depicted with symbols of worldly power. Lichtensteger worked for the royal Saxon court in Dresden. It was common for the art of this time to reflect the values of the social elites. Royal patronage played a vital role in artistic production. To better understand the social meaning of art like this, we can research primary sources such as letters, diaries, account books, and inventories. Through such historical investigation, we can better understand the social and institutional contexts that gave meaning to this artwork.