Le Bassin de Saturne, Versailles
Primary
Adam Perelle
(Paris, France, 1638–1695)
NationalityFrench, Europe
Datepublished by Langlois in 1704
MediumEtching
DimensionsSheet: 12 1/16 × 15 7/8 in. (30.6 × 40.3 cm)
Image: 8 7/16 × 11 7/8 in. (21.4 × 30.1 cm)
Image: 8 7/16 × 11 7/8 in. (21.4 × 30.1 cm)
Credit LineBlanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, The Leo Steinberg Collection, 2002.578
Keywords
Rights Statement
Collection AreaPrints and Drawings
Object number2002.578
On View
Not on viewThe Bassin de Bacchus and Bassin de Saturne are two fountains from a series of four representing the four seasons in the guise of ancient gods. They were part of the complex plan of the gardens of Versailles and allude to Louis XIV’s power and divine support. Together they suggest that the seasons, and time itself, revolve around Louis XIV, the magnificent Sun King.
Like many such prints the scenes are populated with a variety of figures. These include not only nobles enjoying a stroll in the gardens but also numerous gardeners and their assistants going about their daily chores.
Exhibitions
![La Salle des Festins, Versailles [The Hall of Feasts, Versailles]](/internal/media/dispatcher/18281/thumbnail)
Adam Perelle
published by Langlois in 1704
![Le Bassin de Bacchus [The Pond of Bacchus], from the Vues des plus beaux lieux de France et d'Italie [Views of the Most Beautiful Places in France and Italy]](/internal/media/dispatcher/18279/thumbnail)
Adam Perelle
published by Langlois in 1704
![Veue du canal et des cascades de Fontaine Bleau, from the Veues des plus beaux lieux de France et d'Italie [Views of the Most Beautiful Places in France and Italy]](/internal/media/dispatcher/23331/thumbnail)
![Arch of Constantine, from the Vues de Rome et de ses environs [Views of Rome and Its Surroundings]](/internal/media/dispatcher/16537/thumbnail)
![Arch of Septimius Severus and the Campidoglio, from the Vues de Rome et de ses environs [Views of Rome and Its Surroundings]](/internal/media/dispatcher/16538/thumbnail)
![Troisième Journée: Rupture du Palais des enchantements de l'Isle d'Alcine représentée par un feu d'artifice [Third Day: The Destruction of the Palace of Enchantments on the Isle of Alcine as Represented by a Fireworks Display], plate 9 from Les Plaisirs de l’Isle Enchantée, ou Les Festes et divertissements du Roy à Versailles [The Pleasures of the Enchanted Isle, or the Celebrations and Entertainments of the King at Versailles]](/internal/media/dispatcher/18284/thumbnail)
![Troisième Journée: Théâtre dressé. [Third Day: The Theater Prepared], plate 8 from Les plaisirs de l’Isle Enchantée, ou les festes et divertissements du Roy à Versailles [The Pleasures of the Enchanted Isle, or the Celebrations and Entertainments of the King at Versailles]](/internal/media/dispatcher/18283/thumbnail)
Israël Silvestre
1664, reprinted circa 1860