Fontein met vrouwen en putti - François de Cuvilliés (Sr.)

An architectural engraving by François de Cuvilliés (Sr.) featuring a detailed elevation and plan for a monumental fountain.

This architectural print by François de Cuvilliés (Sr.) displays a design for a monumental fountain. The composition is divided into two distinct sections: an elevation of the structure above and a partial plan below. The elevation reveals a domed edifice, decorated with sculptural figures of women and putti positioned on the upper tiers. The central niche houses a water feature, rendered with fine, precise lines to suggest the flow of water against the stone backdrop.

The lower portion of the print provides a technical plan, illustrating the geometry of the fountain base. The artist uses cross-hatching and varied line weights to define the depth and volume of the architectural elements. The text at the bottom, 'Moitié du Plan de la Fontaine dont une partie ést le Plan du bas, ét lautre du haut', clarifies that the plan represents two different levels of the structure. This dual-view approach is characteristic of eighteenth-century design manuals, which aimed to provide builders and patrons with a comprehensive understanding of the proposed work.

Cuvilliés, a key figure in the spread of the Rococo style, demonstrates his mastery of proportion and decorative detail here. The print is marked with the publisher's details, 'A Paris chez Poilly rue St. Iaque', indicating its circulation within the European print trade. The clean, analytical nature of the engraving reflects the period's interest in formalised architectural planning. The work remains a clear example of the technical precision required for the construction of elaborate garden and civic features during the mid-eighteenth century. The print is presented on a neutral background, allowing the fine lines of the engraving to remain the primary focus for the viewer.