Contemporary Statues in Historic Greece

Contemporary Statues in Historic Greece Contemporary Statues Historic Greece 7274547490728003174.jpg

In the past, most sculptors were compensated by the temples to decorate the involved columns and archways with renderings of the gods, however as the period came to a close it became more accepted for sculptors to present ordinary people as well simply because many Greeks had begun to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred. Portraiture, which would be accepted by the Romans upon their annexation of Greek civilization became traditional as well, and thriving families would often commission a portrait of their forebears to be placed in immense familial tombs. The use of sculpture and other art forms differed through the many years of The Greek Classical period, a time of artistic progress when the arts had more than one goal. Greek sculpture is probably fascinating to us at present as it was an avant-garde experiment in the historic world, so it does not make a difference whether its original function was religious zeal or artistic enjoyment.

Aqueducts: The Remedy to Rome's Water Troubles

Aqueducts: Remedy Rome's Water Troubles 7073169236819422165.jpg

Aqueducts: The Remedy to Rome's Water Troubles Prior to 273, when the very first elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was established in Rome, residents who dwelled on hills had to journey further down to get their water from natural sources. If residents living at higher elevations did not have access to springs or the aqueduct, they’d have to rely on the other existing techniques of the day, cisterns that gathered rainwater from the sky and subterranean wells that received the water from below ground. In the very early 16th century, the city began to utilize the water that flowed below ground through Acqua Vergine to deliver drinking water to Pincian Hill. Throughout the length of the aqueduct’s channel were pozzi, or manholes, that gave entry. Though they were originally developed to make it possible to service the aqueduct, Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi started using the manholes to accumulate water from the channel, starting when he obtained the property in 1543. Apparently, the rainwater cistern on his property wasn’t good enough to satisfy his needs. That is when he made a decision to create an access point to the aqueduct that ran below his residence.

Bernini’s Very First Italian Water Fountains

Bernini’s Very First Italian Water Fountains The Barcaccia, Bernini's first fountain, is a striking chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. Bernini’s First Italian Water Fountains 35536842036289.jpg

Bernini’s First Italian Water Fountains 35536842036289.jpg

To this day, this spot is flooded with Roman locals and tourists alike who enjoy conversation and each other's company. The streets surrounding his water fountain have come to be one of the city’s most fashionable gathering places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. The master's very first water fountain of his professional life was built at around 1630 at the request of Pope Urbano VIII. Depicted in the fountain's design is a large vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. According to 16th century documents, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was commemorated by the eye-catching fountain. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's only lengthy trip outside of Italy.