Bernini's Outdoor Fountains
Bernini's Outdoor Fountains There are countless renowned water features in Rome’s city center. One of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, nearly all of them were planned, conceived and constructed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. His abilities as a water feature developer and also as a city designer, are visible throughout the avenues of Rome.
Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they ultimately moved to Rome, in order to fully express their art, primarily in the form of public water fountains and water features. The young Bernini was an exemplary worker and won compliments and patronage of important painters as well as popes. Initially he was recognized for his sculpting skills. An authority in classic Greek architecture, he used this knowledge as a starting point and melded it flawlessly with Roman marble, most notably in the Vatican. Though many artists impacted his artistic endeavors, Michelangelo inspired him the most.
Modern Garden Decor: Garden Fountains and their Roots
Modern Garden Decor: Garden Fountains and their Roots
The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complement your home. The main purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains had to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water supply, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and celebrate the artist. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often utilized by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. 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.
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the power of gravity with mechanical pumps.
These days, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
What Are Garden Fountains Crafted From?
What Are Garden Fountains Crafted From?
Most modern-day garden fountains come in metal, although many other types exist. Metallic versions offer clean lines and unique sculptural accents and will fit in with nearly any decorative style and budget. It is essential that your landscape design reflects the style of your residence. A common choice today is copper, and it is used in the making of many sculptural garden fountains. Copper is used in cascade and tabletop water fountains as well as various other styles, making it versatile enough for inside and outside fountains. If you choose to go with copper, your fountain can be any style from fun and whimsical to modern.
If you are drawn to more classic-looking water fountains, brass is probably the best option for you. You will see a lot of brass fountains, as their interesting artwork makes them popular even if they are on the more traditional side.
The most contemporary metal right now is probably stainless steel. Adding a modern-looking steel design will immediately add value to your garden and improve the overall mood. As with any type of fountain, they are available in many sizes.
For people who want the visual appeal of a metal fountain but want a lighter weight and more affordable option, fiberglass is the answer. Keeping a fiberglass water fountain clean and working correctly is quite simple, another aspect consumers love.