“Aqua” by Edir Lela

“Aqua” by Edir Lela

C.1900-1949

Hand-Painted Lithograph

Centering on a stylized mythological motif, this hand-colored reproduction print titled "AQUA" (Water) portrays two infant mermen sitting back-to-back while blowing fluid streams from large vessels into decorative marsh reeds. Flanked by flowing orange ribbons at the top, a small plaque bearing the Latin name for water sits directly above a vertical fish, which rests upon a central ornamental mask at the base. This specific edition is printed on textured paper and features an ambiguous cursive inscription along the bottom right margin that reads as "Edir Lela" or "Edir Ella", though its exact transcription remains unverified.

This composition belongs to a broader European art tradition dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque eras, where natural forces were visually conceptualized through allegorical series known as the "Four Elements" (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water). Prints like this hold considerable decorative importance because they revived historical, old-world imagery for modern collectors. By highlighting playful marine iconography and symmetrical layouts, the print showcases the enduring design legacy of classical grotesques and their role in the historical evolution of mythological illustration.

Dimensions: H 6 ¾” x 6 ¾” W

Condition: In very good condition