The Origins Of Garden Fountains
The Origins Of Garden Fountains The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to enhance your home.Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, from aqueducts or springs in the area. 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 flow down or jet high into the air. Acting as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Roman fountains often depicted images of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller depictions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to extol their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Modern fountains are used to adorn community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
The Main Characteristics of Classic Greek Statuary
The Main Characteristics of Classic Greek Statuary The initial freestanding sculpture was designed by the Archaic Greeks, a recognized achievement since until then the sole carvings in existence were reliefs cut into walls and pillars.
Most of the freestanding statues were of young, winsome male or female (kore) Greeks and are termed kouros figures. The kouroi were seen by the Greeks to typify beauty and were sculpted with one foot leading and an uncompromising stiffness to their forward-facing poses; the male statues were always strapping, brawny, and nude. The kouroi started to be life-sized starting in 650 BC. During the Archaic period, a big time of change, the Greeks were evolving new forms of government, expressions of art, and a deeper understanding of people and cultures outside Greece. Battles like The Arcadian wars, the Spartan invasion of Samos, and other wars between city-states are indicatory of the tumultuous nature of the time period, which was similar to other periods of historical disturbance. However, these conflicts did not significantly hinder the advancement of the Greek civilization.
The Positive Benefits of Adding a garden fountain in Your Living Area
The Positive Benefits of Adding a garden fountain in Your Living Area You can enhance your exterior space by including a wall fountain or an outdoor garden water feature to your property or gardening project. Contemporary artists and fountain builders alike use historical fountains and water features to shape their creations. You can also reinforce the link to the past by incorporating one of these to your home's interior design.
The advantage of having a garden fountain goes beyond its beauty as it also attracts birds and other wildlife, in addition to harmonizing the ecosystem with the water and moisture it releases into the atmosphere. For example, birds attracted by a fountain or birdbath can be helpful because they fend off annoying flying insects. Wall fountains are a good choice if your yard is small because they do not need much space in comparison to a spouting or cascading fountain. Two possibilities to pick from include either a freestanding type with an even back set against a fence or wall in your garden, or a wall-mounted, self-contained type which is suspended on a wall. Both a fountain mask placed on the existing wall as well as a basin located at the bottom to collect the water are necessary if you wish to include a fountain. It is best not to attempt this job yourself as professional plumbers and masons are best suited to do this kind of work.