The City Of Rome, Gian Bernini, And Water Fountains
The City Of Rome, Gian Bernini, And Water Fountains In Rome’s city center, there are countless famous fountains. One of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, almost all of them were designed, conceived and built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Also a city designer, he had capabilities as a water feature developer, and traces of his life's work are obvious throughout the streets of Rome. Ultimately moving to Rome to totally show their artwork, primarily in the form of public water features, Bernini’s father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son. The young Bernini received compliments from Popes and influential artists alike, and was an excellent employee. At the start he was celebrated for his sculptural abilities. Most particularly in the Vatican, he used a base of knowledge in ancient Greek architecture and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble. Although many artists impacted his artistic endeavors, Michelangelo affected him the most.
Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Roots
Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Roots
A fountain, an amazing 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. Pure functionality was the original role of fountains. 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. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water supply, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Artists thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the artist responsible for creating it. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions 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. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to extol their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into 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. The creation of special water effects and the recycling of water were 2 things made possible by replacing gravity with mechanical pumps.
These days, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Beautiful Early Masterpieces by Bernini
The Beautiful Early Masterpieces by Bernini 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.
This spot is still filled with Roman locals and tourists who enjoy exchanging gossip or going over the day's news. One of the city’s most stylish gathering spots are the streets surrounding Bernini's fountain, which would undoubtedly have brought a smile to the great Bernini. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII commissioned what was to be the very first fountain of the master's career. Illustrated in the fountain's design is a great ship gradually 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 commemorated by the tremendous fountain. Absenting himself from Italy only once in his life for a lengthy period of time, in 1665 Bernini traveled to France.