Problem XXIIII: A Machine for a Moveable Galatea in a Grotto, in: Les Raisons des Forces Mouvantes, plate 32
Salomon de Caus (1576–1626) was a unique figure in garden history. Trained as an architect-mathematician and hydraulic engineer, he was renowned not only for his garden designs with magnificent waterworks, but also for his many publications on topics relating to the arts and sciences. His most influential works include the Hortus Palatinus (1620) on his Heidelberg garden designs, and Les raisons des forces mouvantes (1615), setting out the principles of hydraulics on which the automata or trick fountains and water jokes in the seventeenth-century garden were based. Familiar with the waterworks in Italian Renaissance gardens (Villa d'Este, Tivoli, and Pratolino, Florence), ultimately derived from the just reissued works of Hero of Alexandria (first century A.D.), de Caus introduced hydraulics into the Northern European garden. His influence was widespread at the courts of the Southern and Northern Netherlands, Germany, and also England, where his younger brother Isaac de Caus worked.
The print illustrated here shows one of de Caus's contrivances, consisting of a moving sculpted vessel with a figure of Galatea drawn by dolphins, which would greatly surprise—and probably completely soak—the innocent bystander. This and similar mechanical marvels were generated by concealed pipes creating forceful water jets and included acoustic devices which copied sounds of animals (chirping birds), as well as thunder, wind, and rain.
The print illustrated here shows one of de Caus's contrivances, consisting of a moving sculpted vessel with a figure of Galatea drawn by dolphins, which would greatly surprise—and probably completely soak—the innocent bystander. This and similar mechanical marvels were generated by concealed pipes creating forceful water jets and included acoustic devices which copied sounds of animals (chirping birds), as well as thunder, wind, and rain.
Artwork Details
- Title: Problem XXIIII: A Machine for a Moveable Galatea in a Grotto, in: Les Raisons des Forces Mouvantes, plate 32
- Designer: Designed by Salomon de Caus (French, Dieppe 1576?–1626 (active Germany))
- Publisher: Jan Norton (British, 1556/7–1615 or after)
- Published in: Frankfurt am Main
- Date: 1615
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Book: 15 3/8 × 10 7/16 × 1 15/16 in. (39 × 26.5 × 5 cm)
Sheet: 15 1/16 × 9 7/16 in. (38.3 × 24 cm) - Classifications: Books, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1949
- Object Number: 49.122(3.32)
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
1612–20
Salomon de Caus
Jan Norton
1615
Salomon de Caus
Johann Theodor de Bry
1620
Salomon de Caus
Esaias von Hulsen
1612
Salomon de Caus
Jan Norton
1615
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.