"Fontaine de la Victoire d'Apollon sur le Serpent Python. | Brunnen von dem Sig des Apollo über die Pythonische Schlange."
Under the engraving, on the right, the signature of the engraver and publisher: Ioh.Elias Ridinger excud. Aug. Vindel. Original copperplate engraving with etching, 18th century, on handmade paper watermarked FZW, 31.8 x 27.8 cm, including binding 50.5 x 44 cm.
One of four engravings issued as part of a very rare series of fountains by Johann Elias Ridinger, modeled on a series of engravings from "Recueil de divers Desseins de Fontaines et de Frises maritimes Inventez et dessignez par Monsieur Le Brun premier Peintre du Roy..." designed by Charles le Brun (1619-1690), court painter, architect and decorator to King Louis XIV.
The fountain design was inspired by Greek mythology. Apollo, thanks to a golden bow from Hephaestus, managed to defeat the Python (dragon/snake) guarding the gate to secret knowledge at Delphi. Thanks to the victory, he took control of the oracle there. In honor of this event, he established the Pythian Games, second only to the Olympic Games.
Johann Elias Ridinger (1698-1767) - a respected German printmaker active in Augsburg, made more than 1,500 engravings, is known mainly for his hunting and hippy subjects.
Condition: strong print, crease in the middle, on the left side, a few spots, one of them with a small damage on the surface of the print(in the upper right corner).
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