Fontein van Atlas en Hercules 1672 - 1686

Louis de Châtillon made this print of a fountain of Atlas and Hercules using etching techniques. The figures of Atlas and Hercules, drawn from classical mythology, support a globe of water, which spills down in a spectacular cascade, creating a dramatic tension between power and fragility. This print originates from a France that was rapidly transforming its urban spaces through monumental architecture and elaborate public works. The reign of Louis XIV was in full swing, and the French monarchy was using art and architecture to project an image of power, sophistication, and divine right. This print reflects the period’s fascination with hydraulics and engineering and also the era's obsession with order, control, and the channeling of nature. The print not only comments on the social structures of its time but also celebrates the institutions that helped define French identity. As historians, we can explore the archives of the French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture to understand the artistic standards and expectations of the time. We come to understand art is always contingent on social and institutional contexts.