The Father Of Roman Water Fountain Design And Style
The Father Of Roman Water Fountain Design And Style There are many famous water features in Rome’s city center. Nearly all of them were designed, conceived and built by one of the finest sculptors and designers of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Also a city builder, he had abilities as a water fountain designer, and marks of his life's work are obvious throughout the streets of Rome. To fully reveal their art, mainly in the form of community water fountains and water fountains, Bernini's father, a distinguished Florentine sculptor, guided his young son, and they ultimately moved in the Roman Capitol. The young Bernini earned praise from Popes and influential artists alike, and was an exceptional employee. He was initially recognized for his sculpture. Most particularly in the Vatican, he used a base of experience in classic Greek architecture and melded it flawlessly with Roman marble. He was affected by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.Aspects of Garden Statuary in Archaic Greece
Aspects of Garden Statuary in Archaic Greece
The first freestanding sculpture was developed by the Archaic Greeks, a recognized achievement since until then the only carvings in existence were reliefs cut into walls and columns. Most of these freestanding sculptures were what is known as kouros figures, statues of young, attractive male or female (kore) Greeks. The kouroi were considered by the Greeks to represent beauty and were sculpted with one foot leading and an uncompromising rigidity to their forward-facing poses; the male statues were always strapping, brawny, and unclothed. The kouroi became life-sized beginning in 650 BC. The Archaic period was an amazing point of transformation for the Greeks as they grew into new forms of government, created novel expressions of art, and gained information of the men and women and cultures outside of Greece. Throughout this time and other periods of historic tumult, encounters often happened, including wars fought amongst city-states such as the Arcadian wars and the Spartan invasion of Samos.
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin?
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin?
The dramatic or decorative effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, as well as providing drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property. Pure functionality was the original purpose of fountains. 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 to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or shoot high into the air. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and celebrate the artist. The main components used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. To replicate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by adding decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into 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 enabled fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for community spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational activities.