The Origins of Contemporary Outdoor Wall Fountains
The Origins of Contemporary Outdoor Wall Fountains
Himself a highly educated man, Pope Nicholas V led the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 till 1455 and was responsible for the translation of hundreds of age-old texts from their original Greek into Latin. In order to make Rome worthy of being the capital of the Christian world, the Pope decided to enhance the beauty of the city. Beginning in 1453, the ruined ancient Roman aqueduct known as the Aqua Vergine which had brought fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, underwent restoration at the bidding of the Pope. The ancient Roman custom of building an imposing commemorative fountain at the point where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was resurrected by Nicholas V. The Trevi Fountain now occupies the space previously filled with a wall fountain built by Leon Battista Albert, an architect employed by the Pope. The water which eventually provided the Trevi Fountain as well as the acclaimed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona flowed from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.
The Father Of Roman Water Fountain Design And Style
The Father Of Roman Water Fountain Design And Style There are many popular water features in the city center of Rome. Pretty much all of them were designed, conceived and built by one of the finest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Also a city builder, he had skills as a water feature designer, and remnants of his life's work are obvious throughout the roads 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. The young Bernini was an great worker and earned compliments and backing of significant artists as well as popes.
He was initially celebrated for his sculpture. An authority in ancient Greek architecture, he used this knowledge as a platform and melded it flawlessly with Roman marble, most remarkably in the Vatican. Although many artists had an influence on his work, Michelangelo had the most profound effect.
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Come From?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Come From? 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 complement your home.Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose.
Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to provide drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water source, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to take advantage of gravity which fed the fountains. Acting as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. Bronze or stone masks of wildlife and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the power of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Modern fountains are used to adorn community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
Setting Up and Maintaining Fountains
Setting Up and Maintaining Fountains An important facet to consider is the size of the outdoor wall fountain in relation to the space in which you are going to install it. In order to hold up its total weight, a solid wall is needed. Therefore for smaller areas or walls, a more lightweight fountain is going to be more suitable. In order to run the fountain, an electrical socket will need to be close by. Most outdoor wall fountains come with simple, step-by-step instructions with respect to the type of fountain.Everything you will need to properly install your outdoor wall fountain is typically provided in easy-to-use kits. The kit will contain a submersible pump, the hoses and basin (or reservoir).
If the size is appropriate, the basin can be hidden away amongst your garden plants. Once your wall fountain is in place, all that is required is consistent cleaning and some light maintenance.
It is essential to replenish the water consistently so that it stays clean. Debris such as twigs, leaves or dirt should be cleaned up quickly. In addition, your outdoor wall fountain should not be subjected to freezing winter weather conditions. In order to avoid any damage, such as cracking, from freezing water during the cold winter season, move your pump inside. The bottom line is that if you properly maintain and look after for your outdoor fountain, it will bring you joy for many years.