Copy after Giambologna's Neptune Fountain in Piazza San Petronio, Bologna 1595 - 1605

This drawing, "Copy after Giambologna's Neptune Fountain in Piazza San Petronio, Bologna," was created by an anonymous artist using pen and brown ink. The drawing presents a study in the contrast between linear precision and spatial depth. Notice how the architectural elements of the fountain are rendered with geometric accuracy, emphasizing a rational structure and highlighting the layered composition of its tiered base. The use of brown ink gives a monochromatic warmth, while the careful shading suggests volume and texture. However, within this order, the artist introduces dynamism through the statue of Neptune and the surrounding figures. There is a tension between the static architectural form and the lively sculptural elements which destabilizes the traditional perception of fountains as mere decorative objects, suggesting a more profound engagement with classical motifs and civic identity. Ultimately, this drawing operates as a semiotic device, encoding cultural values through its formal qualities, while also inviting us to question the relationship between representation and reality.