Aspects of Garden Statuary in Archaic Greece
Aspects of Garden Statuary in Archaic Greece
The Archaic Greeks developed the very first freestanding statuary, an amazing achievement as most sculptures up until then had been reliefs cut into walls and pillars. For the most part the statues, or kouros figures, were of young and nice-looking male or female (kore) Greeks. The kouroi were seen by the Greeks to represent beauty and were sculpted with one foot leading and an uncompromising rigidity to their forward-facing poses; the male statues were always strapping, brawny, and nude. In about 650 BC, the variations of the kouroi became life-sized. A substantial age of transformation for the Greeks, the Archaic period helped bring about newer forms of state, expressions of art, and a greater comprehension of people and customs outside of Greece. Wars like The Arcadian wars, the Spartan invasion of Samos, and other wars involving city-states are indicative of the disruptive nature of the time period, which was similar to other periods of historical upset. However, these conflicts did not significantly hinder the advancement of the Greek civilization.
The Magificent First Wonders by Bernini
The Magificent First Wonders by Bernini One can see Bernini's very first masterpiece, the Barcaccia water fountain, at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, you will find Roman residents and vacation goers occupying this area to revel in chit chatter and being among other people. Bernini would without a doubt have been happy to know that people still flock to what has become one the city's most fashionable areas, that surrounding his amazing water fountain. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII mandated what was to be the very first fountain of the master's career. The fountain’s central motif is based on a massive vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. According to 16th century texts, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was memorialized by the eye-catching fountain. In 1665 Bernini journeyed to France, in what was to be his sole extended absence from Italy.Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Originate from?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Originate from? The dramatic or decorative effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, as well as supplying drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property.From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains needed to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains operated using the force of 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. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the designer who created it.
The main materials used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains made to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
These days, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.