Bernini’s First Italian Water Fountains

Bernini’s First Italian Water Fountains One can find Bernini's very first masterpiece, the Barcaccia fountain, at the bottom of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, you will see Roman residents and vacation goers filling this spot to revel in chit chatter and being among other people. The streets neighboring his water fountain have come to be one of the city’s most fashionable gathering places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII commissioned what was to be the very first water fountain of the master's career. People can now see the fountain as a depiction of a commanding ship slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. Period writings dating back to the 16th century show that the fountain was constructed as a monument to those who lost their lives in the great flooding of the Tevere. Bernini’s First Italian Water Fountains 2024189248580.jpg

In 1665 Bernini traveled to France, in what was to be his sole lengthy absence from Italy.

The Father Of Roman Garden Fountain Design And Style

The Father Of Roman Garden Fountain Design And Style There are many popular fountains in the city center of Rome. One of the best ever sculptors and artists of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini planned, conceived and constructed nearly all of them. He was also a urban designer, in addition to his skills as a water feature engineer, and records of his life's work are noticeable all through the streets of Rome. Father Roman Garden Fountain Design Style 28039318555295539.jpg

Father Roman Garden Fountain Design Style 28039318555295539.jpg

A famous Florentine sculptor, Bernini's father mentored his young son, and they ultimately moved to Rome to totally showcase their artwork, mainly in the form of public water fountains and water fountains. The young Bernini earned encouragement from Popes and relevant artists alike, and was an diligent worker. Initially he was recognized for his sculpting skills. He used his knowledge and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble, most notably in the Vatican. He was influenced by many great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest effect on his work.

Water Transport Strategies in Historic Rome

Water Transport Strategies in Historic Rome With the building of the 1st elevated aqueduct in Rome, the Aqua Anio Vetus in 273 BC, people who lived on the city’s foothills no longer had to rely strictly on naturally-occurring spring water for their needs. When aqueducts or springs weren’t easily accessible, people dwelling at greater elevations turned to water taken from underground or rainwater, which was made possible by wells and cisterns. Water Transport Strategies Historic Rome 346668372437726046.jpg

Water Transport Strategies Historic Rome 346668372437726046.jpg

To supply water to Pincian Hill in the early sixteenth century, they employed the new approach of redirecting the circulation from the Acqua Vergine aqueduct’s underground channel. During the length of the aqueduct’s passage were pozzi, or manholes, that gave entry. During the roughly nine years he owned the property, from 1543 to 1552, Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi made use of these manholes to take water from the channel in containers, though they were initially built for the intent of cleaning and maintenance the aqueduct. He didn’t get enough water from the cistern that he had manufactured on his property to obtain rainwater. To provide himself with a much more effective means to obtain water, he had one of the manholes exposed, giving him access to the aqueduct below his property.