Modern Garden Decor: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Beginnings
Modern Garden Decor: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Beginnings A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes. Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to provide drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from gravity. Designers thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and honor the designer responsible for creating it. Bronze or stone masks of wildlife and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. To show his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
The end of the nineteenth century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Decorating city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the functions of modern-day fountains.
The Father Of Rome's Public Fountain Design
The Father Of Rome's Public Fountain Design
There are countless famous Roman fountains in its city center. One of the best ever sculptors and artists of the 17th century, nearly all of them were designed, conceptualized and built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Also a city builder, he had skills as a water feature developer, and remnants of his life's work are noticeable throughout the roads of Rome. Eventually moving to Rome to totally express their art, chiefly in the shape of community water fountains, Bernini’s father, a distinguished Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son. The young Bernini was an exceptional employee and received compliments and patronage of important painters as well as popes. He was initially renowned for his sculpture. Working seamlessly with Roman marble, he utilized a base of experience in the classic Greek architecture, most obviously in the Vatican. Though many artists had an impact on his work, Michelangelo had the most profound effect.