Air, represented by Iris reclining on her rainbow, accompanied by a winged putto bearing a torch and another winged putto riding an eagle, from "The Elements" 1640 - 1660

This delicate print, "Air, Represented by Iris reclining on her rainbow," was etched by Giulio Carpioni. The composition immediately draws us into a dynamic celestial scene, where a reclining Iris is not just on, but almost part of the rainbow itself, accompanied by putti and eagles. Carpioni’s focus on line and form creates a sense of movement that is both elegant and energetic. The cross-hatching technique models the figures, giving them volume. This, along with the flowing lines of Iris' drapery, reinforces a feeling of airiness and elevation. The semiotic elements are rich: Iris, the rainbow, the eagles, and the putti – all classical symbols of air, promise, divinity and love. The artist destabilizes the conventional by intertwining these symbols and the viewer engages with new ways of thinking about representation. Carpioni challenges fixed meanings and allows the viewer to interpret the symbols on their own. Ultimately, it is the dynamic interplay of line and form that elevates this print beyond mere representation into a powerful, symbolic meditation on the element of air.