When and Where Did Water Fountains Emerge?

When and Where Did Water Fountains Emerge? Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, ruled the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of ancient classical Greek documents into Latin. It was important for him to beautify the city of Rome to make it worthy of being called the capital of the Christian world. At the bidding of the Pope, the Aqua Vergine, a ruined aqueduct which had transported clean drinking water into Rome from eight miles away, was restored starting in 1453. The ancient Roman tradition of building an imposing commemorative fountain at the point where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was resurrected by Nicholas V. The Trevi Fountain now occupies the space previously filled with a wall fountain crafted by Leon Battista Albert, an architect employed by the Pope. The aqueduct he had refurbished included modifications and extensions which eventually enabled it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the famed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.

The Godfather Of Rome's Fountains

The Godfather Of Rome's Fountains In Rome’s city center, there are countless celebrated public fountains. One of the greatest sculptors and designers of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini fashioned, conceptualized and constructed nearly all of them. His abilities as a fountain developer and also as a city architect, are evident all through the streets of Rome. Bernini's father, a celebrated Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they ultimately relocated in Rome, to thoroughly exhibit their art in the form of public water fountains and water features. The young Bernini was an exemplary employee and won compliments and backing of significant artists as well as popes. His sculpture was originally his claim to popularity. An authority in ancient Greek engineering, he utilized this knowledge as a foundation and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble, most remarkably in the Vatican. He was affected by many great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest effect on his work.