Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Fountains
Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Fountains The Barcaccia, Bernini's very first water fountain, is a striking chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. Roman locals and site seers who enjoy conversation as well as being the company of others still flood this spot. Today, the city streets surrounding Bernini's water fountain are a trendy area where people go to meet, something which the artist would have been pleased to learn. The master's first water fountain of his professional life was built at around 1630 at the request of Pope Urbano VIII. People can now see the fountain as an illustration of a commanding ship slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. According to 16th century documents, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was memorialized by the tremendous fountain. In 1665 Bernini journeyed to France, in what was to be his only lengthy absence from Italy.Where did Garden Water Fountains Originate from?
Where did Garden Water Fountains Originate from? The dramatic or ornamental effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, in addition to delivering drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property.The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. 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 19th, century most water fountains operated using 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. Artists thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and honor the designer responsible for creating it. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes.
Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to exalt the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.
The end of the nineteenth century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the power of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Contemporary fountains are used to adorn public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
Your Garden Fountain: Upkeep & Routine Service
Your Garden Fountain: Upkeep & Routine Service A very important first step is to consider the size of the outdoor wall fountain with regards to the area you have available for it. It will require a very strong wall to support its total weight. Remember that smaller areas or walls will require a lightweight fountain. In order for the fountain to have electrical power, a nearby electrical socket is needed. There are many different types of fountains, each with their own set of simple, step-by-step directions.
Most outdoor wall fountains come in easy-to-use kits that will provide you everything you need to properly install it. The kit will contain a submersible pump, the hoses and basin (or reservoir). Depending on its size, the basin can typically be hidden quite easily amongst the plants. Once your wall fountain is installed, all that is required is regular cleaning and some light maintenance.
Replace and clean the water on a regular basis. Debris such as twigs, leaves or dirt should be cleared away quickly. In addition, your outdoor wall fountain should not be exposed to freezing winter temperatures. In order to avoid any damage, such as cracking, from freezing water during the cold winter season, move your pump inside. To sum up, your outdoor wall fountain will continue to be a great add-on to your garden if you keep it well looked after and well maintained.