Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Water Fountains
Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Water Fountains The Barcaccia, Bernini's very first water fountain, is a striking chef d'oeuvre built at the bottom of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, you will find Roman residents and vacation goers occupying this spot to revel in chit chatter and being among other people.
The streets neighboring his fountain have come to be one of the city’s most trendy gathering places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. In around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII helped Bernini launch his professional life with the construction of his very first fountain. The fountain’s central motif is based on a massive boat slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The great 16th century flood of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the fountain according to writings from the period. In what turned out to be his one and only extended absence from Italy, Bernini {journeyed | traveled] to France in 1665.
Where did Large Garden Fountains Begin?
Where did Large Garden Fountains Begin? A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes. Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains functioned 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. Artists thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the artist responsible for building it. Bronze or stone masks of wildlife and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. To show his prominence 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.
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the uses of modern-day fountains.
The Various Construction Materials of Outdoor Fountains
The Various Construction Materials of Outdoor Fountains Though they come in different materials, modern garden fountains tend to be made of metal.
Metals tend to create clean lines and unique sculptural accents and can fit almost any design preference or budget. The interior design of your residence should set the look and feel of your yard and garden as well. Today, many people elect copper for their sculptural garden fountains. Copper is used in cascade and tabletop water fountains as well as many other styles, making it perfect for inside and outside fountains. Copper is also flexible enough that you can pick a range of styles for your fountain, from contemporary to whimsical.
Brass water fountains are also common, though they tend to have a more classic look than copper ones. Brass fountains are frequently designed with unique artwork, so they are popular even if they are a bit conventional.
Of all the metals, stainless steel is viewed as the most modern -looking. If you select a cutting-edge steel design, both the value and tranquility of your garden will get a nice boost. Just like other water features, they come in an array of sizes.
For people who want the visual appeal of a metal fountain but want a lighter weight and more affordable option, fiberglass is the answer. Keeping a fiberglass water fountain clean and working correctly is quite effortless, another aspect consumers love.