The Godfather Of Rome's Garden Fountains
The Godfather Of Rome's Garden Fountains In Rome’s city center, there are countless easily recognized water features.
One of the most distinguished sculptors and designers of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini fashioned, created and constructed almost all of them. His skills as a water fountain developer and also as a city architect, are evident all through the roads of Rome. Eventually travelling to Rome to completely reveal their art, chiefly in the shape of community water fountains, Bernini’s father, a distinguished Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son. The young Bernini earned compliments from Popes and influential artists alike, and was an diligent worker. At first he was recognized for his sculpting skills. Most notably in the Vatican, he made use of a base of experience in classic Greek architecture and melded it effortlessly with Roman marble. Though he was influenced by many, Michelangelo had the most profound impact on him, both personally and professionally.
The Origins Of Wall Fountains
The Origins Of Wall Fountains A fountain, an amazing piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for an extraordinary effect. From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply meant to serve as functional elements. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to supply drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. 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. Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to beautify their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. The fountains seen in the Gardens of Versailles were supposed to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. 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 decorative. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for community spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational gatherings.