Bernini's Earliest Masterpieces
Bernini's Earliest Masterpieces Bernini's earliest water fountain, named Barcaccia, is a breath taking work of art found at the bottom of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna.
To this day, this area is filled with Roman locals and tourists alike who enjoy debate and each other's company. Bernini would without a doubt have been happy to know that people still flock to what has become one the city's trendiest areas, that around his amazing fountain. In about 1630, the great master built the first fountain of his career at the behest of Pope Ubano VIII. A massive vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean is the fountain's central theme. Period reports dating back to the 16th century indicate that the fountain was constructed as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the great flooding of the Tevere. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's one-and-only lengthy journey outside of Italy.
The Original Outdoor Garden Fountains
The Original Outdoor Garden Fountains The water from springs and other sources was originally supplied to the residents of nearby communities and cities by way of water fountains, whose design was largely practical, not aesthetic. The force of gravity was the power source of water fountains up until the end of the 19th century, using the potent power of water traveling downhill from a spring or brook to force the water through spigots or other outlets. The appeal and spectacle of fountains make them perfect for historical memorials. If you saw the 1st fountains, you probably would not identify them as fountains. Basic stone basins sculpted from local stone were the original fountains, used for religious purposes and drinking water. Rock basins are believed to have been 1st made use of around the year 2000 BC. The spraying of water appearing from small jets was pressured by gravity, the sole power source creators had in those days. These original fountains were created to be functional, usually situated along reservoirs, streams and waterways to supply drinking water. Beasts, Gods, and Spiritual figures dominated the very early decorative Roman fountains, starting to appear in about 6 B.C.. The Romans had an elaborate system of aqueducts that supplied the water for the numerous fountains that were located throughout the urban center.
Modern Garden Decor: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Beginnings
Modern Garden Decor: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Beginnings 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. From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Residents of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains needed to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and celebrate the artist. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to beautify their fountains. 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 Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to glorify the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the location where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.
Urban fountains built at the end of the 19th century served only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the necessary drinking water. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the power of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.