<P> Since the photograph taken by Stieglitz is the only image of the original sculpture, there are some interpretations of Fountain by looking not only at reproductions but this particular photograph . Tomkins notes that "it does not take much stretching of the imagination to see in the upside - down urinal's gently flowing curves the veiled head of a classic Renaissance madonna or a seated Buddha or, perhaps more to the point, one of Brâncuși's polished erotic forms ." </P> <P> The use of the word "Dada" for the art movement, the meaning (if any) and intention of both the piece and the signature "R. Mutt", are difficult to pin down precisely . It is not clear whether Duchamp or Freytag - Lorinhoven had in mind the German "Armut" (meaning "poverty"), or possibly "Urmutter" (meaning "great mother"). The name R. Mutt could also be a play on its commercial origins or on the famous comic strip of the time, Mutt and Jeff (making the urinal perhaps the first work of art based on a comic). In German, Armut means poverty, although Duchamp said the R stood for Richard, French slang for "moneybags", which makes Fountain a kind of scatological golden calf . </P> <P> In December 2004, Duchamp's Fountain was voted the most influential artwork of the 20th century by 500 selected British art world professionals . The Independent noted in a February 2008 article that with this single work, Duchamp invented conceptual art and "severed forever the traditional link between the artist's labour and the merit of the work". </P> <P> Jerry Saltz wrote in The Village Voice in 2006: </P>

Who made toilet seat into work of art