Fontaine de L’Encelade

An early 18th century view of the Enceladus fountain at Versailles.

This beautiful copperplate engraved print offers a glimpse into the lavish imperial decadence that could be found across the palace grounds at Versailles under the reign of King Louis XIV. The Enceladus fountain, front and center, was one of numerous ornamental geysers powered by one of the most complex hydraulic systems on the planet. It was designed by Charles Le Brun and cast in bronze by Gaspard Marsy, with installation completed in 1677. The fountain features the mythical Giant Enceladus, crawling his way out of a pile of rubble after his defeat at the hands of the Olympians during the Gigantomachy. His suffering is epitomized by the waterspout that bursts from his mouth, screaming in agony, which could reach 25 meters in height when fully powered.

The statue was originally situated amidst an enclosed grove, designed by landscape architect André Le Nôtre, which included eight smaller fountains connected via a series of small steps. In 1706, the area was completely renovated by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, opening up the grove as a pedestrian crossroads. The print was drawn by Girard and engraved by Dutchman Quirijn Fonbonne, who was temporarily working in Paris at the time. Published in 1715 (the year of the Sun King’s death) by Gilles de Demortain as part of the monumenta folio collection, Les Plans, Profils, et Élévations, des Ville, et Château de Versailles.