In Water Carrier, Hugo Robus sculpted a jug in place of the figure's head because he wanted to explore the similarities between the woman's body and the vessel. Robus was influenced by prehistoric representations of women, which emphasize certain body parts such as the head, the breasts, and the womb to make symbolic, rather than anatomically correct, portraits. He adapted these ancient forms to create Water Carrier, enlarging the figure's stomach and doing away with her right arm, as well.