Fontein met beeld van Fortuna - Jean Lepautre

A detailed 1661 etching by Jean Lepautre depicting an ornate Baroque fountain design featuring the figure of Fortuna.

This etching by Jean Lepautre, dated 1661, depicts an elaborate fountain design featuring the figure of Fortuna. Lepautre was a prolific French draughtsman and engraver, known for his contributions to the decorative arts during the reign of Louis XIV. His work often provided templates for architects, sculptors, and cabinet makers, reflecting the grand aesthetic of the period.

The composition centres on a tiered fountain structure. At the summit, the figure of Fortuna stands atop a pedestal, holding a billowing veil that catches the wind. Below her, a cluster of putti adorns the upper basin. The main body of the fountain is supported by muscular male figures, who are seated upon stylized dolphins. These figures bear the weight of the upper basin, a common motif in Baroque garden architecture. The surrounding environment is suggested through light, hatched lines, providing a sense of an outdoor setting without distracting from the primary architectural subject.

Lepautre employs a precise etching technique to define the textures of the stone, the musculature of the figures, and the movement of the water. The print includes the publisher's details at the bottom, indicating it was sold by Pierre Mariette in Paris. Such prints were circulated widely, allowing the designs of the French court to influence European decorative styles. The work demonstrates the technical skill required to translate complex three-dimensional sculptural concepts into two-dimensional graphic form. It remains a clear example of the ornamental style that defined seventeenth-century French design, prioritising symmetry, classical iconography, and theatrical presentation.