Bernini's Early Masterpieces

Bernini's Early Masterpieces The Barcaccia, Bernini's first water fountain, is a striking chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. Bernini's Early Masterpieces 201838185012229597.jpg

This area continues to be filled with Roman locals and visitors who enjoy exchanging gossip or going over the day's news. The streets neighboring his fountain have come to be one of the city’s most trendy meeting places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. In about 1630, the great artist built the first fountain of his career at the behest of Pope Ubano VIII. The fountain’s central theme is based on an enormous boat slowly sinking into the Mediterranean. According to 16th century texts, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was commemorated by the eye-catching fountain. In 1665 Bernini traveled to France, in what was to be his only lengthy absence from Italy.

The Earliest Fountains

The Earliest Fountains As originally conceived, fountains were designed to be practical, directing water from creeks or aqueducts to the inhabitants of towns and villages, where the water could be used for cooking food, cleaning, and drinking. Gravity was the power source of water fountains up until the close of the nineteenth century, using the potent power of water traveling down hill from a spring or brook to squeeze the water through spigots or other outlets. Fountains throughout history have been created as monuments, impressing hometown citizens and tourists alike. Rough in style, the first water fountains did not look much like modern-day fountains. A natural stone basin, carved from rock, was the very first fountain, used for containing water for drinking and ceremonial functions. Natural stone basins are theorized to have been first utilized around 2,000 BC. The spray of water appearing from small spouts was pushed by gravity, the lone power source designers had in those days. The location of the fountains was determined by the water source, which is why you’ll usually find them along reservoirs, canals, or rivers. Fountains with decorative Gods, mythological beasts, and animals began to appear in Rome in about 6 B.C., made from stone and bronze. The City of Rome had an elaborate system of aqueducts that furnished the water for the many fountains that were situated throughout the urban center.