The Genesis Of Fountains
The Genesis Of Fountains
A fountain, an amazing piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for a noteworthy effect. Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains functioned using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Designers thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and celebrate the artist responsible for building it. Roman fountains often depicted images of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. To show his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden 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.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
These days, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to recognize individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Father Of Roman Water Fountain Design And Style
The Father Of Roman Water Fountain Design And Style There are many celebrated water fountains in the city center of Rome. One of the most distinguished sculptors and artists of the 17th century, almost all of them were planned, conceived and constructed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Also a city builder, he had abilities as a water fountain developer, and records of his life's work are evident throughout the roads of Rome. A celebrated Florentine sculptor, Bernini's father guided his young son, and they ultimately went to Rome to totally showcase their art, mainly in the form of community water features and water fountains. An diligent worker, the young Bernini received compliments and patronage of various popes and influential designers. He was originally recognized for his sculpture. An expert in historical Greek architecture, he used this knowledge as a foundation and melded it gracefully with Roman marble, most notably in the Vatican. He was influenced by many great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest effect on his work.