Fontein met zeepaarden before 1682

Jean Lepautre created this detailed line etching, "Fontein met zeepaarden," which now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The engraving presents a tiered fountain structure, adorned with sea horses and figures, set against a backdrop of stylized foliage. Lepautre's use of line directs the viewer's gaze upwards, emphasizing the fountain's elaborate construction and the cascading water. Note how the dense cross-hatching creates a play of light and shadow, giving depth to the architectural elements and sculptural forms. The fountain operates as a symbolic structure, reflecting the Baroque interest in spectacle and artifice. The precise lines and the controlled composition speak to a desire for order and a celebration of human ingenuity over nature. This image encapsulates the complex semiotic codes of the period, where fountains were not just functional objects but also assertions of power and cultural sophistication.