The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains
The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes.Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains.
Inhabitants of cities, 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 connected 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 flow down or jet 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. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. To mark the entryway of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the building of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Embellishing city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Water fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Water fountains
Appropriate care and regular maintenance are important to the longevity of water fountains. A typical issue with fountains is that they tend to collect dirt and debris, so it is essential that you keep it free from this. On top of that, algae can be a concern, as sunshine hitting the water permits it to form quickly. In order to prevent this, there are some basic ingredients that can be mixed into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. Bleach can also be dissolved into the water, however this is not the ideal option because it can hurt birds or other animals. A thorough cleaning every three-four months is recommended for garden fountains. Before cleaning, all the water must be removed. Once it is empty, wash inside the reservoir with a mild cleanser. Feel free to use a toothbrush if necessary for any stubborn crevasses. Be sure to carefully rinse the interior of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
Some organisms and calcium deposits can get inside the pump, so it is advised to take it apart and clean it completely. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it quicker to clean. If you want to eliminate build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water versus tap water, as these don’t contain any ingredients that might stick to the inside of the pump.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you notice that the level is low. Permitting the water level to get too low can result in damage to the pump - and you certainly don't want that!
The Source of Modern Day Wall Fountains
The Source of Modern Day Wall Fountains Hundreds of classic Greek texts were translated into Latin under the authority of the scholarly Pope Nicholas V, who led the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455. In order to make Rome worthy of being the capital of the Christian world, the Pope decided to embellish the beauty of the city. In 1453 the Pope instigated the rebuilding of the Aqua Vergine, an ancient Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away. The ancient Roman custom of building an imposing commemorative fountain at the point where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was restored by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was directed by the Pope to construct a wall fountain where we now see the Trevi Fountain. Changes and extensions, included in the restored aqueduct, eventually supplied the Trevi Fountain and the well-known baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona with the necessary water supply.Aspects of Outdoor Statuary in Archaic Greece
Aspects of Outdoor Statuary in Archaic Greece Up until the Archaic Greeks provided the first freestanding statuary, a noteworthy success, carvings had primarily been completed in walls and pillars as reliefs. Most of these freestanding sculptures were what is known as kouros figures, statues of young, attractive male or female (kore) Greeks. Symbolizing beauty to the Greeks, the kouroi were made to look rigid and commonly had foot in front; the males were vigorous, powerful, and naked. In 650 BC, life-sized versions of the kouroi began to be seen.
The Archaic period was tumultuous for the Greeks as they progressed into more polished forms of federal government and art, and obtained more data about the peoples and societies outside of Greece. But in spite of the issues, the Greek civilization continued to advance, unabated.