The Source of Modern Day Garden Water Fountains
The Source of Modern Day Garden Water Fountains Himself a highly educated man, Pope Nicholas V led the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 till 1455 and was responsible for the translation of scores of ancient documents from their original Greek into Latin.
In order to make Rome deserving of being the capital of the Christian world, the Pope decided to embellish the beauty of the city. Starting in 1453, the ruined ancient Roman aqueduct known as the Aqua Vergine which had brought fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, underwent restoration at the behest of the Pope. The ancient Roman custom of building an awe-inspiring commemorative fountain at the location where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was revived by Nicholas V. The present-day site of the Trevi Fountain was previously occupied by a wall fountain commissioned by the Pope and built by the architect Leon Battista Alberti. Modifications and extensions, included in the restored aqueduct, eventually provided the Trevi Fountain and the well-known baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona with the necessary water supply.
Hydro-Statics & Public Fountains: The Fundamentals
Hydro-Statics & Public Fountains: The Fundamentals
All liquids in a state of equilibrium exert power on the materials it comes in contact with. The force used falls into one of two categories: external force or hydrostatic energy. The force applied by the liquid against a level wall is equivalent at each point where it makes contact with the wall. An object that’s completely submerged in a fluid that’s in equilibrium experiences vertical force on all points of its body. This is also understood as buoyancy or the Archimedes’ principle. When hydrostatic force is exerted on an area of liquid, this becomes hydrostatic pressure. Examples of these containers can be realized in the manner in which a city disperses water, along with its fountains and artesian wells.
The Genesis Of Wall Fountains
The Genesis Of Wall Fountains A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes.
Pure functionality was the original role of fountains. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable 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 the power of gravity. Designers thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and celebrate the designer responsible for building it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often utilized by Romans to decorate their fountains. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to exalt the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the location where the restored Roman aqueducts entered 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 decorative. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the functions of modern-day fountains.
Your Garden: A Great Spot for a Wall Fountain
Your Garden: A Great Spot for a Wall Fountain
The addition of a wall fountain or an outdoor garden fountain is an excellent way to beautify your yard or garden design. Modern-day artists and fountain builders alike use historical fountains and water features to shape their creations. Therefore, in order to link your home to previous times, add one these in your home decor. Among the many properties of these beautiful garden fountains is the water and moisture they discharge into the air which attracts birds and other wild life as well as helps to balance the ecosystem. For example, irksome flying insects are usually discouraged by the birds attracted to the fountain or birdbath. Wall fountains are a good alternative if your yard is small because they do not need much space in contrast to a spouting or cascading fountain. There are two types of fountains to choose from including the freestanding version with a flat back and an attached basin set up against a fence or a wall in your yard, or the wall-mounted, self-contained variety which is hung directly on a wall. Be sure to include a fountain mask to an existing wall and a basin to collect the water at the bottom if you wish to put in a fountain to your living area. It is best not to attempt this job yourself as professional plumbers and masons are best suited to do this type of work.
A Small Garden Space? You Can Own a Water Fountain too!
A Small Garden Space? You Can Own a Water Fountain too! Since water is reflective, it has the effect of making a smaller space appear bigger than it is. In order to attain the optimum reflective properties of a water element or fountain, it is best to use dark materials. Use underwater lights, which come in many different shapes and colors, to show off your new feature at night. Solar powered eco-lights are excellent during the day and submerged lights are perfect for nighttime use. The calming effect produced by these is oftentimes used in nature techniques to alleviate anxiety and stress. Water just mixes into the greenery in your backyard. People will be focused on the pond, artificial river or fountain in your yard. The versatility of water features is that they can be set up in large backyards as well as in small verandas. The most appropriate accessories and the best location for it are worthwhile if you want to better the atmosphere.
Agrippa’s Splendid Water-lifting Gadget
Agrippa’s Splendid Water-lifting Gadget The admiration Agrippa’s water-lifting innovation received from Andrea Bacci in 1588 was short-lived. It could be that the Acqua Felice, the second of Rome’s earliest modern aqueducts made the device outdated when it was hooked up to the Villa Medici in 1592. Although its glory was passing, Camillo Agrippa’s concept for lifting water was the marvel of its day, surpassing everything built in Italy since the days of ancient Rome. Renaissance landscapes of the later part of the 16th century happened to be home to works including musical water features, scenographic water displays and water caprices (giochi d’acqua), but these weren’t outfitted with water in ways that violated gravitation itself.Rome, Gian Bernini, And Outdoor Water Fountains
Rome, Gian Bernini, And Outdoor Water Fountains There are countless celebrated fountains in the city center of Rome. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the most brilliant sculptors and artists of the 17th century designed, conceptualized and produced virtually all of them. Also a city designer, he had skills as a water fountain designer, and marks of his life's work are obvious throughout the avenues of Rome. Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, guided his young son, and they eventually transferred in Rome, to thoroughly exhibit their art in the form of community water fountains and water fountains. An excellent worker, the young Bernini earned compliments and the backing of various popes and important designers. His sculpture was initially his claim to glory. An expert in historical Greek architecture, he used this knowledge as a foundation and melded it gracefully with Roman marble, most notably in the Vatican. He was affected by many great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.