l'Eau

Recognized as one of the leading painters in Venice, Carpioni also stands as one of the most important etchers of the Venetian school working in the mid-seventeenth century. The present print is part of the series The Four Elements showing Iris poised upon a rainbow (Air), Cybele surrounded by fruits and wildlife (Earth), and Venus at Vulcan’s forge (Fire). The element of Water is here incarnated by the female allegorical figure of a naiad, a type of nymph, shown holding an urn with water pouring from it. Behind her a group of Tritons (mermen) and cherubs are seen cavorting in the water.