Inventors of the First Outdoor Fountains
Inventors of the First Outdoor Fountains Frequently serving as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and cultivated scholars, all in one, fountain creators were multi-talented people from the 16th to the late 18th century. Throughout the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci exemplified the artist as an imaginative wizard, creator and scientific specialist. He carefully documented his findings in his now much celebrated notebooks about his research into the forces of nature and the qualities and motion of water.
Modifying private villa configurations into imaginative water exhibits full with symbolic significance and natural beauty, early Italian fountain engineers paired imagination with hydraulic and horticultural knowledge. The humanist Pirro Ligorio, renowned for his virtuosity in archeology, architecture and garden design, offered the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli. For the various estates near Florence, other water fountain designers were well versed in humanistic topics and ancient scientific texts, masterminding the excellent water marbles, water highlights and water jokes.
Where did Fountains Originate from?
Where did Fountains Originate from? The amazing or decorative effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, in addition to supplying drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property.
Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water supply, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the designer. Roman fountains usually depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by including beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Modern fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
Keep Your Outdoor Fountain Clean
Keep Your Outdoor Fountain Clean Water fountains will keep working a very long time with routine cleaning and maintenance.
Leaves, twigs, and insects very often find their way into fountains, so it is essential to keep yours free from such debris. Another factor is that water that is exposed to sunlight is prone to growing algae. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be dissolved into the water to avoid this issue. Bleach can also be dissolved into the water, but this is not an ideal option as it can sicken birds or other animals. Experts suggest that the typical garden fountain undergoes a thorough scouring every 3-4 months. Prior to cleaning, all the water must be removed. Then use a soft cloth and gentle cleanser to scrub the inside. Feel free to use a toothbrush if helpful for any stubborn crevasses. Be sure to carefully rinse the interior of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
Make sure you get rid of any calcium or plankton by taking the pump apart and scrubbing the inside carefully. To make it less strenuous, soak it in vinegar for several hours before cleaning. Build-up can be a big hassle, so use mineral or rain water over tap water, when possible, to prevent this dilemma.
One final trick for keeping your fountain in top working condition is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. Allowing the water to reach below the pump’s intake level, can cause severe damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!