Two Plans and Elevations for Fountains 16th century

This sheet shows two fountain designs, drawn anonymously in ink, sometime in the distant past. One plan features a statue of a female warrior, perhaps Minerva, while the other is topped with a simple obelisk. Drawings like these offer valuable insights into the cultural values and social hierarchies of their time. The fountain, often placed in public squares or aristocratic gardens, served not only as a source of water but also as a symbol of power, civic pride and refined taste. Classical figures atop these fountains reinforced links to the glory of past empires. The obelisk, a reference to ancient Egypt, implies knowledge and wealth. Understanding the true meaning of these fountain designs requires a lot of research, from the study of garden history to the analysis of civic institutions and artistic patronage. By looking into these resources we can begin to understand not only the aesthetics of the past, but also its social structures.