Aqua (Water)

after 1587

Adriaen Collaert

Associated Names
Adriaen Collaert

Artist, Flemish, Flemish, 1560 - 1618

The image shows a classical-style engraving of a person seated with one arm resting on a vessel from which water flows. The person has classical facial features and long hair adorned with foliage. They are draped in cloth, surrounded by large leaves and plants. The background features mountains, a body of water with ships, a sea creature, clouds, and sun beams. Cherub-like figures and intricate designs are at the edges of the oval frame.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ruth and Jacob Kainen Memorial Acquisition Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 17 × 21 cm (6 11/16 × 8 1/4 in.)
    sheet: 17.4 × 21.5 cm (6 7/8 × 8 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2017.38.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein, no. 1283, State i/ii

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

2022

  • The Renaissance in the North: New Prints and Perspectives, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2022.

Bibliography

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (Collaert Dynasty, Ann Diels and Marjolein Leesberg, authors). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-,

Inscriptions

in margin below image, in plate: Rerum AQVA principium, chaos, et fons est, et origo, / Frugibus unde vigor seminibusque venit. / Squamigeros homini pisces alimenta ministrat; / Et quo navigijs transeat, aptat iter. (Water is the origin, the chaos, the wellspring of things, Whence comes vigor to fruits and seeds. She furnishes scaly fish as nourishment to mankind; And anywhither the shipborne journey passes, she accommodates. [translation from Melion, Walter S. and James Clifton_Through a Glass Darkly: Allegory & Faith in Nethlerlandish Prints from Lucas van Leyden to Rembrandt._Atlanta: Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, 2019, p.50.]) / Adrian. Collaert invent. sculp. et excud.

Markings

none

Watermarks

present but undeciphered

Wikidata ID

Q77259532

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