Fontein van Latona in de tuinen van Versailles c. 1715

Gérard Scotin's etching captures the Latona Fountain in Versailles, an ode to classical myth. At its heart is Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, a figure tied to themes of motherhood and divine retribution. The tale of Latona, who was tormented by Juno and defended by Jupiter, echoes through art history. You see her reappear in various forms, even in subtle gestures of protection or divine intervention. Consider how the protective stance of a Madonna in Renaissance art mirrors Latona’s plea for her children's safety. Water, the essence of the fountain, becomes a symbol of purification and rebirth, washing away the old, bringing forth the new. This fountain is more than decorative; it's a powerful, subconscious echo of the classical world. The enduring themes of justice and maternal love resonate, proving symbols are living entities. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts, linking our modern gaze to ancient emotional wells.