Gian Bernini's Water Features

Gian Bernini's Water Features There are countless famous fountains in the city center of Rome. One of the most distinguished sculptors and artists of the 17th century, virtually all of them were planned, conceived and built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Also a city builder, he had skills as a water fountain designer, and marks of his life's work are obvious throughout 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. An excellent worker, the young Bernini received praise and patronage of various popes and important artists. His sculpture was originally his claim to celebrity. Gian Bernini's Water Features 13275211350108853553.jpg

Working seamlessly with Roman marble, he utilized a base of experience in the classic Greek architecture, most famously in the Vatican. Though he was influenced by many, Michelangelo had the most serious effect on him, both personally and professionally.

Water Delivery Solutions in Ancient Rome

Water Delivery Solutions in Ancient Rome Previous to 273, when the 1st elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in Roma, inhabitants who lived on hillsides had to go even further down to gather their water from natural sources. During this time period, there were only 2 other innovations capable of supplying water to high areas, subterranean wells and cisterns, which amassed rainwater. In the very early sixteenth century, the city began to use the water that ran beneath the earth through Acqua Vergine to provide water to Pincian Hill. Throughout the length of the aqueduct’s network were pozzi, or manholes, that gave access. The manholes made it more straightforward to clean the channel, but it was also possible to use buckets to extract water from the aqueduct, as we viewed with Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi when he bought the property from 1543 to 1552, the year he passed away. The cistern he had made to gather rainwater wasn’t satisfactory to meet his water demands. Via an orifice to the aqueduct that flowed under his property, he was able to satisfy his water wants.