Rome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, And Fountains
Rome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, And Fountains There are countless famous water features in the city center of Rome.
Practically all of them were planned, architected and built by one of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Marks of his life's work are apparent throughout the avenues of Rome because, in addition to his skills as a water fountain builder, he was also a city architect. Bernini's father, a celebrated Florentine sculptor, guided his young son, and they finally settled in Rome, to thoroughly show their artwork in the form of public water fountains and water features. The young Bernini received compliments from Popes and influential artists alike, and was an excellent employee. Initially he was well known for his sculpting skills. Most notably in the Vatican, he used a base of knowledge in classic Greek architecture and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble. He was influenced by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.
The Genesis Of Garden Fountains
The Genesis 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.Pure practicality was the original role of fountains. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, from aqueducts or springs nearby. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Artists thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the designer responsible for creating it.
The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were meant to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. To mark the entryway of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
Nowadays, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Advantages of Solar Powered Outdoor Fountains
The Advantages of Solar Powered Outdoor Fountains Your garden wall fountain can be run by any number of power sources.
The recent interest in eco-friendly power has led to a rise in the use of solar powered fountains, even though till now they have mainly been powered by electricity. Although solar powered water fountains may be the most economical long-term option, the initial outlay is in fact higher. Terra cotta, copper, porcelain, or bronze are utilized to make solar operated water fountains. Your decor dictates which style best fits you. If you are thinking about a fountain to complete your garden sanctuary, know that they are easy to care for and a great way to contribute to a clean eco-system. Indoor wall fountains are a superb way to cool your home as well as to provide an eye-catching addition to your surroundings. Yet another alternative to air conditioners and swamp coolers, they use the very same principles to cool your living space You can lower your power bill since they consume less electricity.
Their cooling effect can be activated by blowing fresh, dry air across them. To improve air circulation, turn on your ceiling fan or use the air from some corner of the area. Regardless of the method you use, ensure the air is flowing over the top of the water in a regular manner. It is natural for fountains and waterfalls to produce cool, crisp air. Merely being in the vicinity of a sizeable public fountain or waterfall will send a sudden chill through whoever is nearby. Be sure to situate your fountain cooling system where it will not be subjected to extra heat. Your cooling system will be less effective if it is located in direct sunlight.
A Chronicle of Outdoor Fountains
A Chronicle of Outdoor Fountains The translation of hundreds of ancient Greek texts into Latin was commissioned by the scholarly Pope Nicholas V who ruled the Church in Rome from 1397 till 1455. He undertook the beautification of Rome to make it into the model seat of the Christian world.
Reconstruction of the Acqua Vergine, a desolate Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the behest of the Pope. A mostra, a monumental celebratory fountain constructed by ancient Romans to mark the point of entry of an aqueduct, was a tradition which was restored by Nicholas V. The present-day site of the Trevi Fountain was once occupied by a wall fountain commissioned by the Pope and constructed 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 flowed from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.