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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.
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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.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Aqua (Water)

Adriaen Collaert

Date
after 1587
Medium
engraving on laid paper
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.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2017.38.2
Credit line
Ruth and Jacob Kainen Memorial Acquisition Fund
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Portfolio and series

Series
The Four Elements

Subjects and terms

  • engraving
  • elements
  • allegory
Inscription

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.

Marks

none

Watermarks

present but undeciphered

NGA object ID 209754. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.