Where did Fountains Come From?
Where did Fountains Come From? A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes.
The main purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with drinking 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 more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or shoot high into the air. Artists thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and honor the designer responsible for building it. Bronze or stone masks of wildlife and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create mini variations of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. To mark the entryway of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Contemporary fountains are used to adorn public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
Creators of the First Water Fountains
Creators of the First Water Fountains Frequently serving as architects, sculptors, designers, engineers and discerning scholars, all in one, fountain designers were multi-talented individuals from the 16th to the late 18th century. Exemplifying the Renaissance artist as a creative master, Leonardo da Vinci performed as an innovator and scientific specialist. He systematically registered his findings in his now famed notebooks about his studies into the forces of nature and the attributes and mobility of water. Remodeling private villa settings into ingenious water exhibits full with symbolic significance and natural wonder, early Italian water feature designers combined creativity with hydraulic and gardening abilities. Known for his incredible skill in archeology, architecture and garden creations, Pirro Ligorio, the humanist, offered the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli.
For the various lands near Florence, other water fountain developers were well versed in humanistic themes and ancient scientific texts, masterminding the excellent water marbles, water features and water humor.