The Godfather Of Roman Public Fountains
The Godfather Of Roman Public Fountains In Rome’s city center, there are many celebrated water features. Almost all of them were designed, conceived and constructed by one of the finest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Marks of his life's efforts are apparent throughout the streets of Rome because, in addition to his skills as a water fountain builder, he was additionally a city builder. A celebrated Florentine sculptor, Bernini's father guided his young son, and they ultimately transferred to Rome to thoroughly exhibit their art, mainly in the form of community water fountains and water fountains.
An exceptional workman, Bernin earned encouragement and the patronage of popes and well known artists. His sculpture was originally his claim to popularity. Most particularly in the Vatican, he used a base of experience in ancient Greek architecture and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble. He was influenced by many great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest effect on his work.
Contemporary Garden Decor: Outdoor Fountains and their Roots
Contemporary Garden Decor: Outdoor Fountains and their Roots The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to enhance your home. Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains needed to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains functioned using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Acting as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by including decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.