Water art was of great importance for the history of the city of Gera. It has been used for urban water supply for almost 200 years. The water art was operated by means of a large water wheel and several pumps with the water from the Mühlgraben. Sandstone tablets with allegorical representations of Poseidon and Hercules on the east side of the building are reminiscent of the year 1766. The old pumping station was completely renovated in 1867, but had to be upgraded with a steam engine in 1872 due to the high water requirements. With the establishment of a waterworks in Zwötzen in 1890, the original meaning was lost and the building was sold to the Hirsch company.
Today the restored building is used as a restaurant "Restaurant Wasserkunst". An outbuilding of water art that was formerly next to this building was not preserved. On the upper floor of the building of the water art there is a baroque door wall with a coat of arms and inscription board. The plate shows an inscription in Latin and the Latin year 1766 as well as a coat of arms cartouche (house Reuss, lion with crown) and two wild men, one of whom is the god of the sea and water Neptune (or: Poseidon), since he has a trident is shown in the hand. The coat of arms and inscription refer to the erection of the building by Count Heinrich XXX. Reuss and the establishment of an inn in the same year.