Fontein met zeepaarden - Jean Lepautre

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Jean Lepautre, depicting a tiered fountain adorned with sea horses and classical figures.

This etching by Jean Lepautre depicts an elaborate fountain design, a subject that occupied much of the artist's career during the seventeenth century. Lepautre was a prolific French draughtsman and printmaker, known for his extensive output of designs for interior decoration, furniture, and garden architecture. His work provided a visual vocabulary for the decorative arts during the reign of Louis XIV.

The composition features a multi-tiered fountain structure. At the base, two sea horses emerge from the water, their forms integrated into the basin. Above them, figures are positioned amidst rockwork and shells, supporting the upper tiers from which water cascades. The background suggests a formal garden setting, with trees rendered in a manner typical of the period's graphic style. The etching technique allows for a clear distinction between the textures of the stone, the fluidity of the water, and the organic forms of the sea creatures.

Lepautre's prints were widely circulated across Europe, often used as pattern books by craftsmen and architects. This specific work demonstrates his ability to balance classical motifs with the theatricality associated with the Baroque period. The inclusion of the inscription 'le Potre In et fecit Avec privilege' indicates that the artist both designed and executed the plate, while also securing the necessary royal permission for its publication. The print reflects the era's fascination with hydraulic engineering and the integration of sculpture into the natural environment. The lines are precise, capturing the play of light on the water and the sculptural details of the fountain's tiers. This print offers a glimpse into the aesthetic priorities of seventeenth-century French design, where symmetry and ornamentation were combined to create a sense of grandeur.