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The Four Elements
Public domain

The Four Elements

Jacob Matham · 1588 · engraving; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The four elements Earth, Water, Air and Fire, personified as two female and two male figures. On the left in the foreground, seen from the back, sits Earth (Terra) with ears of corn in her hand. Also in the foreground sits Water (Aqua) as a female figure with a ship on her head and next to her a stream. In the air between the clouds sits Air (Aer) with a chameleon on her hand. On the right in the background a male figure representing Fire (Ignis), sitting on a dragon and on his head a crown of flames. Behind his head the sun.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
print
Credit lineDe vier elementen. 1588. Jacob Matham. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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