The Genesis Of Fountains

Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains operated using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the designer who created it. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
The end of the 19th century saw the rise in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Decorating city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the functions of modern-day fountains.
The Godfather Of Roman Garden Fountains
The Godfather Of Roman Garden Fountains In Rome’s city center, there are countless celebrated water features. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century developed, conceived and constructed virtually all of them. His expertise as a water fountain developer and also as a city architect, are obvious throughout the streets of Rome. Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they ultimately moved to Rome, in order to fully express their art, primarily in the form of public water fountains and water features. An exceptional employee, Bernin earned compliments and the the backing of popes and well known painters. At the start he was renowned for his sculptural expertise. Working seamlessly with Roman marble, he used a base of knowledge in the ancient Greek architecture, most especially in the Vatican. Although many artists impacted his artistic endeavors, Michelangelo affected him the most.Dogs, Cats and Fountains
Dogs, Cats and Fountains
Early Water Supply Solutions in The City Of Rome
Early Water Supply Solutions in The City Of Rome With the building of the very first raised aqueduct in Rome, the Aqua Anio Vetus in 273 BC, folks who lived on the city’s hills no longer had to be dependent entirely on naturally-occurring spring water for their requirements. During this time period, there were only two other techniques capable of delivering water to high areas, subterranean wells and cisterns, which gathered rainwater.