The Source of Modern Fountains
The Source of Modern Fountains
Pope Nicholas V, himself a learned man, governed the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of ancient classical Greek documents into Latin. In order to make Rome worthy of being the capital of the Christian world, the Pope decided to embellish the beauty of the city. Restoration of the Acqua Vergine, a ruined Roman aqueduct which had carried clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the behest of the Pope. The ancient Roman custom of building an imposing commemorative fountain at the point where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was resurrected by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was commissioned by the Pope to build a wall fountain where we now see the Trevi Fountain. The aqueduct he had reconditioned included modifications and extensions which eventually enabled it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the renowned baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.
"Primitive" Greek Art: Garden Statuary
"Primitive" Greek Art: Garden Statuary The Archaic Greeks developed the 1st freestanding statuary, an amazing achievement as most sculptures up until then had been reliefs cut into walls and pillars. For the most part the statues, or kouros figures, were of adolescent and nice-looking male or female (kore) Greeks. The kouroi were considered by the Greeks to typify beauty and were sculpted with one foot leading and an uncompromising firmness to their forward-facing poses; the male statues were always strapping, brawny, and nude. In around 650 BC, the variations of the kouroi became life-sized. A massive time of transformation for the Greeks, the Archaic period helped bring about more forms of government, expressions of artwork, and a higher comprehension of people and cultures outside of Greece. Still these disagreements did not prohibit the emergence of the Greek civilization. {The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Garden Wall Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Garden Wall Fountains
Water fountains will keep working a long time with routine cleaning and maintenance. Leaves, twigs, and insects very often find their way into fountains, so it is important to keep yours free from such things. Also, algae has a tendency to build up wherever natural light meets water. In order to stay clear of this, there are some basic ingredients that can be poured into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. Another option is to mix bleach into the water, but this action can harm wild animals and so should really be avoided. No more than 3-4 months should go by without an extensive maintaining of a fountain. The first task is to get rid of all of the water. When you have done this, wash inside the water reservoir with a mild detergent. Feel free to use a toothbrush if helpful for any tiny crevasses. Do not leave any soap residue inside of or on the fountain.
It is highly suggested taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and remove any plankton or calcium. Letting it soak in vinegar for a few hours first will make it much easier to clean. Mineral or rain water, versus tap water, is ideal in order to prevent any build-up of chemicals inside the pump.
Lastly, make sure your fountain is always full by looking at it every day - this will keep it in tip-top condition. Low water levels can damage the pump - and you do not want that!