"Old School" Water Feature Creative Designers

Commonly serving as architects, sculptors, designers, engineers and cultivated scholars, all in one, fountain designers were multi-talented individuals from the 16th to the later part of the 18th century. Exemplifying the Renaissance skilled artist as a creative genius, Leonardo da Vinci performed as an inventor and scientific specialist. The forces of nature guided him to research the qualities and motion of water, and due to his fascination, he systematically captured his findings in his now celebrated notebooks. Coupling imaginativeness with hydraulic and landscaping mastery, early Italian water fountain designers modified private villa settings into brilliant water exhibits loaded with symbolic meaning and natural charm. The humanist Pirro Ligorio provided the vision behind the wonders in Tivoli and was distinguished for his abilities in archeology, architecture and garden design. For the many mansions in the vicinity of Florence, other fountain creators were well versed in humanist topics as well as classical scientific texts, masterminding the extraordinary water marbles, water features and water antics.

Did You Know How Technical Concepts of Fountains Became Known?

Did You Know How Technical Concepts of Fountains Became Known? Know Technical Concepts Fountains Became Known? 396376641324797297.jpg

Dissiminating practical hydraulic information and water feature design ideas throughout Europe was accomplished with the published documents and illustrated books of the time. An unnamed French water fountain developer came to be an internationally celebrated hydraulic pioneer in the later part of the 1500's. His know-how in designing landscapes and grottoes with incorporated and ingenious water fountains began in Italy and with mandates in Brussels, London and Germany. He authored a publication entitled “The Principles of Moving Forces” toward the end of his lifetime while in France which became the essential tome on hydraulic mechanics and engineering. Replacing key hydraulic advancements of classical antiquity, the publication also details modern hydraulic technologies. The water screw, a technical way to move water, and invented by Archimedes, was showcased in the book. Sunlight heating liquid in two vessels concealed in a room adjacent to an beautiful fountain was presented in one illustration. The end result: the fountain is stimulated by the heated liquid expanding and rising up the conduits. Pumps, water wheels, water features and garden pond styles are documented in the publication.