Gian Bernini's Garden Fountains
Gian Bernini's Garden Fountains In Rome’s city center, there are countless famous public fountains. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the best sculptors and artists of the 17th century developed, conceptualized and produced almost all of them. His expertise as a water fountain designer and also as a city architect, are obvious all through the avenues of Rome. Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they ultimately moved to Rome, in order to fully express their art, primarily in the form of public water fountains and water features. The young Bernini was an great worker and earned compliments and patronage of important artists as well as popes. Initially he was well known for his sculpting skills. Working gracefully with Roman marble, he made use of a base of experience in the classic Greek architecture, most notably in the Vatican. He was influenced by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Roots
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Roots
A fountain, an incredible 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 main 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 nearby. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water source, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Acting as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to decorate their fountains. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
The end of the nineteenth century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
These days, fountains decorate public areas and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
Pick from Countless Outdoor Wall Fountain Designs
Pick from Countless Outdoor Wall Fountain Designs
If you want to have a place to relax as well as add some flair to a small area such as a patio or courtyard, wall fountains are ideal because they do not take up much space. When looking at the many types of outdoor wall fountains available including traditional, antique, modern, or Asian, you are certain to find one best suited to your design ideas. If you are looking for a distinctive design, a custom-made one can be specially made to meet your specifications. The two types of fountains available to you include mounted and freestanding models. Small, self-contained mounted wall fountains can be hung on any surface. Fountains of this kind need to be lightweight, therefore, they are typically fabricated from resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass. In large stand-alone fountains, otherwise known as wall fountains, the basin is set on the ground with the smooth side positioned against a wall. Generally made of cast stone, this type of water feature is not restricted in weight.
Landscape designers often propose a custom-built fountain for a brand new or existing wall. Employing an expert mason is your best option to construct the basin and install the required plumbing. It is also essential to add a spout or fountain mask to build it into the wall. The unified look provided by custom-made wall fountains make them appear to be part of the scenery instead of an afterthought.
The Positive Benefits of installing a wall fountain in Your Living Area
The Positive Benefits of installing a wall fountain in Your Living Area The inclusion of a wall water feature or an outdoor garden fountain is an excellent way to beautify your yard or garden design. Many contemporary designers and craftsmen have been inspired by historical fountains and water features. As such, integrating one of these to your home design is a superb way to connect it to the past. In addition to the positive characteristics of garden fountains, they also generate water and moisture which goes into the air, thereby, drawing in birds as well as other creatures and harmonizing the environment. Flying, bothersome insects, for instance, are frightened off by the birds congregating around the fountain or birdbath. The area necessary for a cascading or spouting fountain is substantial, so a wall fountain is the ideal size for a small yard. There are two types of fountains to choose from including the freestanding model with a flat back and an attached basin set up against a fence or a wall in your yard, or the wall-mounted, self-contained version which is hung directly on a wall. Adding a fountain to an existent wall requires that you include a fountain mask as well as a basin at the bottom to gather the water. It is best not to undertake this job yourself as skilled plumbers and masons are more suitable to do this kind of work.