Modern Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Roots
Modern Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Roots
The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs in the vicinity. Used until the nineteenth century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Acting as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also supplied clean, fresh drinking water. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often utilized by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Contemporary fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
How Technical Designs of Outdoor Spread
How Technical Designs of Outdoor Spread The published documents and illustrated pamphlets of the day contributed to the development of scientific technology, and were the chief means of spreading useful hydraulic concepts and fountain ideas throughout Europe. In the later part of the 1500's, a French water fountain architect (whose name has been lost) was the globally recognized hydraulics leader. His competence in developing landscapes and grottoes with built-in and brilliant water features began in Italy and with mandates in Brussels, London and Germany. “The Principles of Moving Forces”, a guide that became the essential book on hydraulic technology and engineering, was written by him toward the end of his life in France. Explaining contemporary hydraulic technologies, the book furthermore updated key hydraulic developments of classical antiquity. The water screw, a mechanical method to move water, and developed by Archimedes, was featured in the book. An decorative spring with the sun warming the water in two containers concealed in a adjacent room was presented in one illustration. The hot water expands and then ascends and closes the water pipes consequently triggering the fountain.
Archaic Greek Artistry: Large Statuary
Archaic Greek Artistry: Large Statuary The first freestanding statuary was improved by the Archaic Greeks, a distinguished accomplishment since until then the sole carvings in existence were reliefs cut into walls and columns. Kouros figures, sculptures of young, handsome male or female (kore) Greeks, made up the majority of the statues. The kouroi, viewed by the Greeks to portray beauty, had one foot stretched out of a rigid forward-facing pose and the male figurines were regularly unclothed, with a strong, sturdy build. In 650 BC, life-sized versions of the kouroi began to be seen.
Water Transport Solutions in Early Rome
