Artwork Page for Design for a Gothic Fountain

Details / Information for Design for a Gothic Fountain

Design for a Gothic Fountain

c. 1470
(Netherlandish, active about 1465–1490)
Culture
Flanders
Medium
engraving
Measurements
Platemark: 23.3 x 7.5 cm (9 3/16 x 2 15/16 in.); Sheet: 23.6 x 10.8 cm (9 5/16 x 4 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view

Description

Many early engravers used the medium to create motifs for craftsmen. The design for this Gothic fountain calls for the work to be executed in gold or silver and for scented water to spout from the gargoyle heads into the square, carved basins below. Like the great majority of prints by Master W with a Key, this sheet illustrating a design for a fountain is very rare, and only a few impressions are known. Offset on the verso is the faint image of a ship, a subject that inspired eight other engravings.
A vertically oriented engraving of a Gothic fountain design features a tall, tiered architectural structure with slender columns and pointed arches. At the base, water pours from beast-shaped spouts into rectangular basins. Ornate leaf-like carvings and decorative finials adorn the rising tiers, which taper toward a central spire. Fine black hatching and cross-hatching define the intricate stonework and shadows, creating three-dimensional depth against the light-colored paper.

Design for a Gothic Fountain

c. 1470

Master W with the Key

(Netherlandish, active about 1465–1490)
Flanders

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork