The Origins Of Garden Fountains
The Origins Of Garden Fountains
A fountain, an incredible piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for an extraordinary effect. The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains operated using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the artist who created it. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models 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. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains built to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Urban fountains created at the end of the nineteenth served only as decorative and celebratory ornaments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Contemporary fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.
Original Water Delivery Techniques in Rome
Original Water Delivery Techniques in Rome Prior to 273, when the very first elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was established in Roma, residents who lived on hills had to journey even further down to get their water from natural sources. When aqueducts or springs weren’t available, people dwelling at greater elevations turned to water drawn from underground or rainwater, which was made possible by wells and cisterns. In the early sixteenth century, the city began to make use of the water that flowed below ground through Acqua Vergine to supply drinking water to Pincian Hill. Throughout the time of its initial building and construction, pozzi (or manholes) were installed at set intervals along the aqueduct’s channel. Even though they were primarily manufactured to make it possible to support the aqueduct, Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi began using the manholes to get water from the channel, opening when he obtained the property in 1543. It appears that, the rainwater cistern on his property wasn’t sufficient to fulfill his needs. That is when he made the decision to create an access point to the aqueduct that ran below his residence.Find Peace with Outdoor Fountains
Find Peace with Outdoor Fountains Your state of mind is positively influenced by having water in your yard. The noises in your neighborhood and surrounding area will be concealed with the soothing sounds of a fountain. Consider this the place where can you go to recreate yourself and become one with nature. Water treatments are common right now and often take place in the mountains or near beaches and rivers. If what you seek out is a calming place where you can take your body and your mind to a faraway place, install a pond or fountain in your garden.The City Of Rome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, And Public Fountains
The City Of Rome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, And Public Fountains There are many popular water fountains in the city center of Rome. One of the most distinguished sculptors and artists of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini planned, conceived and built nearly all of them. He was also a urban architect, in addition to his skills as a water feature developer, and remnants of his life's work are noticeable all through the streets of Rome. A renowned Florentine sculptor, Bernini's father mentored his young son, and they eventually moved to Rome to thoroughly express their art, mainly in the form of community water fountains and water features. An diligent employee, the young Bernini earned praise and patronage of many popes and important artists. His sculpture was originally his claim to celebrity. He made use of his knowledge and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble, most notably in the Vatican.
He was affected by many great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest effect on his work.