Who painted Fountain with Statue of Neptune?

Fountain with Statue of Neptune was painted by Andrea Zoan in 1482.

Where can I see Fountain with Statue of Neptune?

Fountain with Statue of Neptune is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Fountain with Statue of Neptune?

Fountain with Statue of Neptune is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Fountain with Statue of Neptune

Andrea Zoan , 1482

Fountain with Statue of Neptune is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Andrea Zoan. It dates from 1482 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Andrea Zoan’s engraving titled Fountain with Statue of Neptune dates to around 1482. Executed on paper, the print depicts the Roman sea god poised atop an ornate fountain, surrounded by cascading water. The composition includes a distant ship, adding narrative depth to the mythological scene.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, Neptune, is rendered with a trident in hand, emphasizing his authority over the sea. The surrounding fountain and the ship in the background suggest a celebration of maritime power, reflecting the cultural importance of navigation and trade in late‑fourteenth‑century Italy.

Technique & Style

Zoan employs precise line work and dense cross‑hatching to model the musculature of the deity and the drapery of his garments. The sharp incisions create a sense of volume and deep shadow, giving the flat paper a three‑dimensional quality uncommon in early Venetian prints.

History & Provenance

The print is among the limited number of surviving works by Zoan, an artist active in Venice during the nascent period of engraving in the region. Its rarity underscores the fragile transmission of early printmaking practices in the Italian Renaissance.

Context

Produced at a time when engraving was just gaining foothold in Venice, the work reflects both the technical experimentation of its creator and the city’s burgeoning interest in reproducing classical motifs for a broader audience.