Neptune's Fountain
The Crown Element of the Great Parterre is Neptune's Fountain begun in 1776. Neptune god of the sea is in a shell shaped chariot with trident in hand to his left is a nymph and to the right kneels sea-goddess, Thetis (whose son Achilles was setting off to conquer Troy). Frolicking at the foot of the grotto are Tritons (creatures half man-half fish and are holding conch shells that inspire fear in man and beast.) They are restraining hippocampi (sea-horses) that draw Neptune's chariot across the seas.
© Emile Abbott
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