Classic Greece: The Origins of Garden Statue Design
Classic Greece: The Origins of Garden Statue Design Historically, the vast majority of sculptors were compensated by the temples to embellish the elaborate columns and archways with renderings of the gods, however as the period came to a close it became more common for sculptors to portray ordinary people as well because many Greeks had begun to think of their institution as superstitious rather than sacred. Often times, a representation of affluent families' forefathers would be commissioned to be placed inside of huge familial burial tombs, and portraiture, which would be copied by the Romans upon their conquering of Greek civilization, also became commonplace.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Landscape Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Landscape Fountains Water fountains will keep working a very long time with regular cleaning and maintenance. It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into outdoor fountains, so keeping it clean is vital. Also, algae is likely to build up anywhere natural light meets water. To avoid this, take vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or sea salt and add straight into the water. Another option is to blend bleach into the water, but this action can harm wild animals and so should really be avoided.A thorough cleaning every 3-4 months is recommended for garden fountains. The first step is to empty out all of the water. Then use gentle and a soft sponge to clean the interior of the reservoir. If there is intricate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the interior of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
It is highly recommended taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and eliminate any plankton or calcium. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it quicker to scrub. Mineral or rain water, versus tap water, is ideal in order to eliminate any build-up of chemicals inside the pump.
And finally, make sure the water level is always full in order to keep your fountain working optimally. Low water levels can ruin the pump - and you don't want that!
Where did Large Garden Fountains Begin?
Where did Large Garden Fountains Begin?
Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs in the vicinity. Up to the late 19th 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 down or jet high into the air. Designers thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the designer responsible for building it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often used by Romans to decorate their fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create smaller depictions of the gardens of paradise. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were supposed to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries manufactured baroque decorative fountains to glorify the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the location where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Nowadays, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.