Fountain of Love 1738

This is Pierre Aveline’s “Fountain of Love,” an etching created in the early 18th century. Dominating the scene, the fountain itself, adorned with playful putti, evokes classical ideals of love and fertility, motifs deeply rooted in antiquity. We see the symbol of water which has been seen as purifying and life-giving across cultures, from ancient Roman baths to baptismal fonts. The presence of putti, or cherubic figures, draws a direct line back to the Hellenistic era, where similar figures, like Eros, symbolized the whimsical, often irrational nature of love. Consider how the symbolism of water evolves. In Renaissance paintings, it may signify purity; in later Romantic works, its untamed nature reflects the sublime power of emotion. Here, Aveline merges these concepts, presenting love as both a source of life and a force of nature, echoing through collective memory. This resonates with our subconscious understanding, creating a timeless dialogue about love’s enduring presence in the human psyche.