Fountain of the Four Rivers By Bernini With Ancient Egyptian Obelisk (I)

~14.2 x 9 inches (36 x 23 cm).

Bernini’s most spectacular public monuments date from the mid-1640s to the 1660s. The Fountain of the Four Rivers in Rome’s Piazza Navona (1648–51) supports an ancient Egyptian obelisk over a hollowed-out rock, surmounted by four marble figures symbolizing four major rivers of the world. This fountain is one of his most spectacular works.

This elegant and rare antique engraving was made in 1664 by Georg Andreas Bockler in Germany, shortly after the fountain was constructed. Therefore it is one of the earliest images of the fountain.

It is from his work 'Architectura Curiosa Nova'. which illustrates magnificent fountains, water-jets and well heads in Europe

This is a copper plate engraving printed on handmade chain-linked paper and hand coloured. It is in excellent condition considering it was made over 350 years ago.