Fontein van Enceladus in de tuinen van Versailles 1682

Editor: Here we have Joseph Mulder's 1682 engraving, "Fontein van Enceladus in de tuinen van Versailles," or "The Enceladus Fountain in the Gardens of Versailles." It’s so detailed! All the little figures… It almost feels like a stage set. What catches your eye in this image? Curator: Well, it is a stage in a way. Fountains are potent symbols; water representing both life and chaos. Look how Enceladus, a giant of Greek myth, is depicted being crushed by rocks, yet water erupts from him. The message? Even in defeat, raw power can be harnessed, controlled, and put on display. Editor: So the fountain isn't just decoration. Curator: Absolutely not. It speaks to Louis XIV's ambition. He’s not just building a garden; he's creating a world that reflects his absolute authority. Notice the very deliberate geometry of the gardens themselves. Editor: Yes, very controlled! Do you think people at the time would have understood the symbolism? Curator: Oh, I think the intended audience, the court, would have grasped the visual cues immediately. Power, control, and classical references were the currency of the day. And even beyond that circle, the sheer spectacle would convey the message of royal might. Do you see other visual cues that underline this symbolism? Editor: I guess the way the people are smaller, and arranged almost symmetrically around the fountain? It reinforces a kind of social hierarchy, and maybe, control. Curator: Exactly. This engraving isn't just documenting a fountain, it's propagating a carefully crafted image of power. Food for thought about what art truly means. Editor: It's amazing how much information is packed into a seemingly simple landscape image. I’ll definitely look at these landscapes in a new way now.