The Hellenic Republic: Cultural Sculpture
The Hellenic Republic: Cultural Sculpture
Sculptors adorned the complex columns and archways with renderings of the greek gods until the time came to a close and more Greeks had begun to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred; at that time, it became more accepted for sculptors be compensated to portray everyday people as well. Wealthy families would sometimes commission a rendition of their forefathers for their big family burial tombs; portraiture also became frequent and would be appropriated by the Romans upon their acquisition of Greek civilization. A time of aesthetic progression, the use of sculpture and alternate art forms transformed throughout the Greek Classical period, so it is inexact to suggest that the arts provided only one function. Whether to gratify a visual desire or to commemorate the figures of religion, Greek sculpture was an artistic approach in the ancient world, which may well be what attracts our focus today.
The Genesis Of Garden Fountains
The Genesis Of Garden Fountains
A fountain, an amazing piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also launch water high into the air for an extraordinary effect. The central 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 nearby. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or shoot high into the air. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the designer. The main materials used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. Fountains played a significant role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains made to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the functions of modern-day fountains.