Aqua, Allegory of Water from The Four Elements

A small punched engraving on laid paper shows an oval cartouche framed by scrolling ornament, with winged female figures at the upper corners and the inscription AQUA at top. A nude child-like figure reclines on clouds in the foreground, while a winged cherub-like figure, a fountain, a sea scene, and a distant town appear behind. Monogram letters and the date appear at the bottom corners.

Artist

Hans Kellerthaler

Date

1589

Medium

Punched engraving on laid paper

Source

Smithsonian (Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum)

Size

2099 × 2880 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Smithsonian Institution, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum