Where did Fountains Come From?
Where did Fountains Come From? The incredible construction 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 complete your home.The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water supply, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and celebrate the designer. The main components used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise.
Fountains played a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. 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 clean, 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 helped fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Modern fountains are used to adorn community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Public Fountains
Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Public Fountains There are many famous Roman fountains in its city center. One of the best ever sculptors and artists of the 17th century, virtually all of them were planned, conceptualized and built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
He was also a urban architect, in addition to his skills as a water fountain engineer, and records of his life's work are apparent all through the avenues of Rome. Bernini's father, a recognized Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they eventually settled in Rome, to fully express their art in the form of community water features and water fountains. An excellent employee, the young Bernini received compliments and the backing of many popes and important artists. He was initially celebrated for his sculpture. An expert in classic Greek engineering, he used this knowledge as a platform and melded it gracefully with Roman marble, most remarkably in the Vatican. He was affected by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.
Animals and Backyard Fountains
Animals and Backyard Fountains
Be certain to take your pet into consideration when you are considering putting in a water feature. Your freestanding fountain may be seen as a big pool or a drinking pond by your pooch. Your pets will not be negatively affected if you incorporate a wall fountain to your yard. You may need to consider where you will locate the fountain as birds may take it as a bathing pond. If you intend to deliberately entice birds, however, installing a birdbath is a good solution. To prevent this, however, installing a wall water fountain inside your home is a great option. These types of fountains are great for dental and medical practices, not to mention stately homes.
Garden Fountains for Tight Spots
Garden Fountains for Tight Spots Since water makes a reflection, small spaces will appear bigger. Water features such as fountains profit from the reflective qualities stemming from dark materials. Night time is a great time to draw attention to the illuminated, colored underwater lights in your new water feature.
Benefit from the sun’s rays by using eco-lights during the day and underwater lights during the night. The calming effect produced by these is oftentimes used in nature therapies to alleviate anxiety and stress. The vegetation in your yard is a very good spot to fit in your water feature. Your pond, man-made waterway, or fountain is the perfect feature to draw people’s interest. Small verandas or major gardens is the perfect place to put in a water feature. The best way to improve the ambience, place it in a good place and use the right accompaniments.