Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Fountains
Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Fountains Bernini's earliest water fountain, named Barcaccia, is a masterful work of art seen at the bottom of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna.
Bernini's Water Fountains
Bernini's Water Fountains There are many celebrated water features in Rome’s city center. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century developed, created and built nearly all of them. His skills as a fountain designer and also as a city architect, are visible throughout the streets 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 earned praise from Popes and relevant artists alike, and was an diligent worker. At first he was recognized for his sculpting skills. He used his knowledge and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble, most significantly in the Vatican. Although many artists had an influence on his work, Michelangelo had the most profound effect.Where did Large Garden Fountains Come From?
Where did Large Garden Fountains Come From? The amazing or decorative effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, in addition to delivering drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property.From the onset, outdoor fountains were soley meant to serve as functional elements. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Used until the nineteenth 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. Designers thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the artist responsible for creating it. 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. Fountains played a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by adding decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
The end of the nineteenth century saw the rise in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Modern fountains are used to adorn public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.
Outdoor Garden Fountains: The Perfect Decor Accessory to Find Serenity
