Bernini’s Very First Italian Fountains
Bernini’s Very First Italian Fountains Bernini's earliest fountain, named Barcaccia, is a breath taking work of art seen at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, this spot is filled with Roman locals and tourists alike who enjoy debate and each other's company. One of the city’s most stylish gathering places are the streets surrounding Bernini's fountain, which would certainly have brought a smile to the great Bernini. The master's very first water fountain of his professional life was built at around 1630 at the behest of Pope Urbano VIII. Illustrated in the fountain's design is a large ship gradually sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The great 16th century flood of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the fountain according to documents from the period. In 1665 Bernini journeyed to France, in what was to be his sole lengthy absence from Italy.Attributes of Garden Statues in Archaic Greece
Attributes of Garden Statues in Archaic Greece
The first freestanding sculpture was designed by the Archaic Greeks, a distinguished success since until then the only carvings in existence were reliefs cut into walls and pillars. Most of these freestanding sculptures were what is known as kouros figures, statues of young, attractive male or female (kore) Greeks. Considered by Greeks to represent splendour, the kouroi were structured into firm, forward facing positions with one foot outstretched, and the male statues were always nude, well-built, and fit. The kouroi became life-sized commencing in 650 BC. The Archaic period was an amazing point of transformation for the Greeks as they extended into new modes of government, created unique expressions of art, and achieved insights of the men and women and cultures outside of Greece. During this time and other periods of historic tumult, clashes often happened, including wars fought amongst city-states such as the Arcadian wars and the Spartan invasion of Samos.
The Genesis Of Fountains
The Genesis Of Fountains The amazing or decorative effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, as well as providing drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property.Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to supply drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain.
Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. To replicate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. The fountains seen in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.