Bernini's Water Fountains

Bernini's Water Fountains In Rome’s city center, there are countless famous water fountains.Bernini's  Water Fountains 39439908315604246371.jpg Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the best sculptors and artists of the 17th century designed, created and built almost all of them. His abilities as a water feature creator and also as a city designer, are evident throughout the avenues of Rome. Bernini's father, a celebrated Florentine sculptor, guided his young son, and they ultimately moved in Rome, to fully exhibit their art in the form of public water fountains and water features. An excellent worker, the young Bernini earned compliments and patronage of various popes and influential designers. Originally he was recognized for his sculpting skills. An expert in historical Greek architecture, he used this knowledge as a base and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble, most remarkably in the Vatican. Although a variety of artists impacted his artistic endeavors, Michelangelo affected him the most.

The Original Outdoor Fountains

Original Outdoor Fountains 8748114792996.jpg The Original Outdoor Fountains As originally conceived, fountains were designed to be practical, guiding water from streams or aqueducts to the inhabitants of cities and settlements, where the water could be used for cooking food, washing, and drinking. In the days before electricity, the spray of fountains was powered by gravity alone, usually using an aqueduct or water supply located far away in the nearby hills. The splendor and spectacle of fountains make them appropriate for traditional monuments. The contemporary fountains of today bear little likeness to the first water fountains. Basic stone basins crafted from local stone were the first fountains, used for religious purposes and drinking water. 2,000 B.C. is when the oldest identified stone fountain basins were actually used. The jet of water appearing from small spouts was pushed by gravity, the sole power source designers had in those days. Located near reservoirs or springs, the practical public water fountains supplied the local population with fresh drinking water. The people of Rome began constructing elaborate fountains in 6 BC, most of which were metallic or stone masks of creatures and mythological representations. A well-designed system of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public water fountains supplied with fresh water.

Where did Landscape Fountains Begin?

Where did Landscape Fountains Begin? The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to enhance your home.

The main purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with drinking water as well as water where they could bathe or wash.Landscape Fountains Begin? 94428345332.jpg Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains functioned using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Designers thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the artist responsible for building it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times utilized by Romans to decorate their fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to extol their positions by including beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.

Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.

Nowadays, fountains adorn public areas and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.

Choose from Countless Exterior Wall Fountain Designs

Choose from Countless Exterior Wall Fountain Designs If you want to have a place to relax and add some pizzazz to a small area such as a patio or courtyard, wall fountains are perfect because they do not occupy much space. When looking at the many types of outdoor wall fountains available including traditional, vintage, contemporary, or Asian, you are certain to find one most suitable to your design ideas. It is possible to have one custom-made if you are not able to find a pre-assembled fountain to suit you.

There are two specific styles of fountains you can buy: mounted and free-standing. You can install a mounted wall fountain because they are little and self-contained. One of the most important aspects of wall fountains is that they be light, so they are typically made of fiberglass or resin to mirror the look of stone. Floor fountains are freestanding, large, and also have a basin on the floor as well as a flat side against the wall. There are no weight constraints on these sorts of cast stone water features.

It is a good idea to incorporate a custom-made fountain into a new or existing wall, something often recommended by landscape experts. A skilled mason is necessary to place the water basin against the wall and correctly install all the plumbing inside or behind the wall. The wall will need to have a spout or fountain mask built into it. A custom-built wall fountain blends into the landscape instead of standing out because it was a later addition, which contributes to a unified appearance.

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The Impact of the Norman Conquest on Anglo Saxon Gardens Anglo-Saxons encountered extraordinary modifications to their daily lives in the latter half of the eleventh century due to the accession of the Normans.The skill of the Normans surpassed the Anglo-Saxons' in design and agriculture at the time of the conquest.... read more


Outdoor Fountain Designers Through History Multi-talented people, fountain artists from the 16th to the late 18th century typically worked as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and highly educated scholars all in one person.... read more


Ancient Greece: The Origins of Garden Statue Design Historically, the vast majority of sculptors were compensated by the temples to decorate the involved pillars and archways with renderings of the gods, but as the period came to a close it became more accepted for sculptors to present regular people as well because many Greeks had begun to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred.... read more


The Hellenic Republic: Cultural Statuary In the past, most sculptors were compensated by the temples to adorn the elaborate columns and archways with renderings of the gods, but as the period came to a close it became more common for sculptors to present ordinary people as well simply because many Greeks had begun to think of their institution as superstitious rather than sacred.... read more


Bernini’s Very First Italian Fountains The Barcaccia, a beautiful fountain constructed at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna, was Bernini's earliest water fountain.To this day, you will find Roman locals and vacation goers occupying this spot to revel in chit chatter and being among other people.... read more


The Many Good Reasons to Include a Fountain The area outside your home can be enhanced by adding a wall or a garden fountain to your landscaping or garden project.Historical fountains and water features have stirred the notice of modern-day designers as well as fountain designers.... read more


Keep Your Wall fountain Clean Water fountains will last a very long time with routine cleaning and maintenance.It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into open-air fountains, so keeping it clean is essential.... read more