At What Point Did Water Features Originate?
At What Point Did Water Features Originate?
Himself a learned man, Pope Nicholas V headed the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 till 1455 and was responsible for the translation of scores of ancient texts from their original Greek into Latin. In order to make Rome deserving of being the capital of the Christian world, the Pope resolved to embellish the beauty of the city. Starting in 1453, the ruined ancient Roman aqueduct known as the Aqua Vergine which had brought fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, underwent reconstruction at the bidding of the Pope. The ancient Roman custom of building an imposing commemorative fountain at the location where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was resurrected by Nicholas V. The present-day site of the Trevi Fountain was previously occupied by a wall fountain commissioned by the Pope and built by the architect Leon Battista Alberti. The water which eventually supplied the Trevi Fountain as well as the renown baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona came from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Outdoor Fountains
Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Outdoor Fountains There are many famed Roman water fountains in its city center. One of the finest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, virtually all of them were planned, conceptualized and constructed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Also a city designer, he had skills as a water feature developer, and marks of his life's work are evident throughout the avenues of Rome. To fully exhibit their artwork, chiefly in the form of community water fountains and water features, Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, guided his young son, and they ultimately relocated in the Roman Capitol. An excellent worker, the young Bernini received compliments and the backing of many popes and important designers. His sculpture was originally his claim to celebrity. An expert in classic Greek engineering, he used this knowledge as a base and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble, most notably in the Vatican. Though many artists had an influence on his work, Michelangelo had the most profound effect.Your Garden: A Great Place for a Garden Fountain
Your Garden: A Great Place for a Garden Fountain The addition of a wall water feature or an outdoor garden fountain is a great way to adorn your yard or garden design. A myriad of present-day designers and fountain craftsmen have found inspiration in the fountains and water features of the past. You can also strengthen the link to the past by incorporating one of these to your home's interior design. In addition to the wonderful characteristics of garden fountains, they also produce water and moisture which goes into the air, thereby, attracting birds as well as other creatures and harmonizing the environment. Flying, irritating insects, for instance, are scared away by the birds congregating near the fountain or birdbath. Wall fountains are a good choice if your yard is small because they do not need much space as compared to a spouting or cascading fountain. Two options to pick from include either a freestanding type with an even back set against a fence or wall in your backyard, or a wall-mounted, self-contained type which hangs on a wall. Both a fountain mask placed on the existing wall as well as a basin located at the bottom to collect the water are necessary if you wish to include a fountain. The plumbing and masonry work necessary for this kind of work requires expertise, so it is best to employ a skilled person rather than do it yourself.
Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Water Fountains
Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Water Fountains
The Barcaccia, Bernini's very first water fountain, is a striking chef d'oeuvre built at the bottom of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, this area is filled with Roman locals and tourists alike who enjoy conversation and each other's company. Bernini would without a doubt have been happy to know that people still flock to what has become one the city's most fashionable areas, that around his amazing water fountain. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII mandated what was to be the earliest fountain of the master's career. A large boat slowly sinking into the Mediterranean is the fountain's main theme. 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 journeyed to France, in what was to be his sole extended absence from Italy.