Jonge vrouw bij een bron 1756

Richard Houston created this mezzotint, "Young Woman at a Fountain," around 1768. Note the classical elements: a nymph-like figure, a decorative fountain with a dolphin, and a cherubic statue in the background. The motif of the nymph at the fountain carries echoes of ancient Greece, where springs and wells were sacred places, often associated with female deities. We see a similar reverence in Renaissance paintings, where nymphs embody the life-giving power of nature. Consider the dolphin—a symbol that recurs throughout history, from ancient Minoan frescoes to Roman mosaics, often representing guidance and salvation. Its presence here links the fountain to a broader narrative of renewal and transformation. Just as the dolphin navigates the depths, so too might the viewer be guided through the subconscious currents of the image, evoking a sense of timelessness and emotional resonance.