Element Water 1695

Etienne Baudet's "Element Water," an engraving created in 1695, depicts a scene of aquatic joy and the power of the element. Within a circular frame, a central female figure representing water sits on a shell-shaped chariot, with cherubs playing around her. Below, figures swim and frolic in the sea, while above, a winged figure flies through a dramatic sky. This piece is a fine example of the Baroque style, with its theatrical dynamism, and its dedication to Louis XIV further reflects its artistic and political significance.