Bernini's Water Features
Bernini's Water Features There are any number of famous Roman water fountains in its city center. One of the finest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, virtually all of them were designed, conceived and constructed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Traces of his life's work are evident all through the roads of Rome because, in addition to his capabilities as a fountain designer, he was additionally a city architect. To fully exhibit their art, chiefly in the form of community water features and water features, Bernini's father, a distinguished Florentine sculptor, guided his young son, and they eventually relocated in Rome. The young Bernini was an exemplary worker and received encouragement and patronage of significant painters as well as popes. At the beginning he was celebrated for his sculptural abilities. He made use of his knowledge and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble, most significantly in the Vatican. Although many artists had an impact on his work, Michelangelo had the most profound effect.
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin?
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin? 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 a noteworthy effect.Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to supply drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated 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. Serving as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also supplied clean, fresh drinking water. Roman fountains often depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create mini variations of the gardens of paradise. Fountains played a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains made to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements.
Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the functions of modern-day fountains.