Contemporary Garden Decoration: Outdoor Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Outdoor Fountains and their Beginnings The dramatic or decorative effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, as well as delivering drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property.The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. 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 19th 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 gravity. Designers thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and celebrate the designer responsible for building it. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to extol their positions by including decorative 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. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Modern fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
A Small Garden Space? Don't Feel Left Out! You Can Still Have a Water Feature
A Small Garden Space? Don't Feel Left Out! You Can Still Have a Water Feature Since water is reflective, it has the effect of making a small spot appear bigger than it is. Water features such as fountains benefit from the reflective qualities stemming from dark materials. Use underwater lights, which come in many different shapes and colors, to display your new feature at night. profit from the sun’s rays by using eco-lights during the day and underwater lights during the night. The calming effect created by these is oftentimes used in nature techniques to alleviate anxiety and stress.The greenery in your garden is the perfect place to place your water feature. People will be centered on the pond, artificial river or fountain in your garden. Water features make great add ons to both large gardens or small patios.
The ambience can be significantly modified by placing it in the best place and using the proper accessories.
Bernini's First Showpieces
Bernini's First Showpieces
The Barcaccia, Bernini's first water fountain, is a magnificent chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, this spot is filled with Roman locals and tourists alike who enjoy debate and each other's company. Today, the city streets surrounding Bernini's water fountain are a trendy area where people go to meet, something which the artist would have been pleased to learn. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII commissioned what was to be the earliest water fountain of the artist's career. The fountain’s central motif is based on a massive vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The great flooding of the Tevere that covered the whole region with water in the 16th was commemorated by this momentous fountain as recorded by reports dating back to this period. Absenting himself from Italy only once in his life for a long-lasting time period, in 1665 Bernini traveled to France.