Gian Bernini's Fountains
Gian Bernini's Fountains There are countless celebrated Roman water fountains in its city center. One of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, almost all of them were designed, conceptualized and constructed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. His skills as a fountain developer and also as a city designer, are evident throughout the streets of Rome. Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they ultimately moved to Rome, in order to fully express their art, primarily in the form of public water fountains and water features. An excellent employee, the young Bernini received compliments and patronage of various popes and influential designers.
At first he was well known for his sculpting skills. Working gracefully with Roman marble, he made use of a base of knowledge in the ancient Greek architecture, most notably in the Vatican. Though he was influenced by many, Michelangelo had the most serious impact on him, both personally and professionally.
Water Fountain Engineers Through History
Water Fountain Engineers Through History Commonly working as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and cultivated scholars, all in one, fountain designers were multi-talented people from the 16th to the late 18th century.
During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci exemplified the creator as an creative master, creator and scientific expert. With his immense fascination regarding the forces of nature, he investigated the characteristics and movement of water and also systematically recorded his findings in his now much celebrated notebooks. Combining imaginativeness with hydraulic and horticultural expertise, early Italian water feature engineers modified private villa settings into brilliant water exhibits filled with symbolic meaning and natural elegance. The humanist Pirro Ligorio offered the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli and was celebrated for his abilities in archeology, architecture and garden design. For the various properties near Florence, other water fountain engineers were well versed in humanist themes and classical technical texts, masterminding the incredible water marbles, water attributes and water jokes.
The Genesis Of Wall Fountains
The Genesis Of Wall Fountains The dramatic or ornamental effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, as well as providing drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property. Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs in the area. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their source of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Designers thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and celebrate the artist responsible for building it. The main components used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens 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.
Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Modern-day fountains serve mostly as decoration for open spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational gatherings.
The Many Styles of Wall Fountains
The Many Styles of Wall Fountains If you want to have a place to relax and add some pizzazz to a small area such as a patio or courtyard, wall fountains are ideal because they do not occupy much space. When looking at the many types of outdoor wall fountains available including traditional, vintage, modern, or Asian, you are certain to find one most suitable to your design ideas. While there are countless prefabricated ones on the market, you may need a custom-built fountain if none of these are pleasing to you.The two kinds of fountains available to you include mounted and freestanding models. Mounted wall fountains are small and self-contained versions which can be placed on a wall. One of the most important features of wall fountains is that they be lightweight, so they are typically made of fiberglass or resin to replicate the look of stone.
Large-sized free-standing wall fountains, often referred to as floor fountains, have their basins located on the floor and a smooth side leaning on a wall. Typically made of cast stone, these water features have no weight limitations.
Many experienced landscapers prefer custom-built fountains which can be integrated into a brand-new wall or an existing one. Installing the basin against the wall and installing all the plumbing work requires a expert mason to do it correctly. The wall will need to have a spout or fountain mask built into it. Custom-built wall fountains lend to a unified appearance because they become part of the scenery rather than look like a later addition.