Where did Fountains Begin?
Where did Fountains Begin? A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to supply drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes.Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains had to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring.
Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or shoot high into the air. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the designer who created it. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a significant role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. 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 provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely 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 recognize individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Many Construction Materials of Large Outdoor Fountains
The Many Construction Materials of Large Outdoor Fountains While today’s garden fountains are made in a variety of materials, the majority are crafted from metal. Metals tend to create clean lines and unique sculptural accents and can fit almost any design theme or budget. If you have a modern-day look and feel to your interior design, your yard and garden should mirror that same look.One of the most trendy metals for sculptural garden fountains presently is copper. Copper is trendy for both inside and outside use and is widely found in tabletop and cascade fountains, among others. Copper is also versatile enough that you can select a range of styles for your fountain, from contemporary to whimsical.
Brass water fountains are also popular, although they tend to have a more classic look than copper ones. Even though they are a bit old-fashioned, brass fountains are quite common because they often include interesting artwork.
Perhaps the most modern of all metals is stainless steel. For an instant increase in the value and comfort of your garden, get one of the contemporary steel designs. As with any type of fountain, they are available in many sizes.
Fiberglass fountains are popular because they look similar to metal but are more affordable and much less difficult to move around. The maintenance of fiberglass water fountains is quite simple, so they have many advantages that people appreciate.
Bernini’s First Italian Fountains
Bernini’s First Italian Fountains One can see Bernini's very first masterpiece, the Barcaccia water fountain, at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, this area is filled with Roman locals and travelers alike who enjoy conversation and each other's company. Today, the city streets surrounding Bernini's fountain are a trendy area where people go to meet, something which the artist would have been pleased to learn. In about 1630, the great artist built the very first fountain of his career at the behest of Pope Ubano VIII. Depicted in the fountain's design is a large vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. According to 16th century reports, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was memorialized by the eye-catching fountain. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's only lengthy voyage outside of Italy.
Classic Greece: The Origins of Garden Statue Design
Classic Greece: The Origins of Garden Statue Design
A good number of sculptors were paid by the temples to adorn the intricate pillars and archways with renderings of the gods up until the time period came to a close and many Greeks started to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred, when it became more common for sculptors to represent ordinary men and women as well. Portraiture became commonplace as well, and would be welcomed by the Romans when they conquered the Greeks, and sometimes wealthy families would commission a depiction of their progenitors to be placed inside their grand familial tombs. A point of artistic progression, the use of sculpture and other art forms transformed during the Greek Classical period, so it is inaccurate to suggest that the arts provided only one function. Whether to satisfy a visual desire or to commemorate the figures of religion, Greek sculpture was actually an artistic practice in the ancient world, which may well be what draws our interest today.