Bernini's Water Features
Bernini's Water Features In Rome’s city center, there are many celebrated water fountains. One of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini fashioned, created and constructed nearly all of them. His skills as a water fountain designer and also as a city architect, 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 encouragement and backing of significant artists as well as popes. At the beginning he was recognized for his sculptural abilities. Working faultlessly with Roman marble, he made use of a base of knowledge in the classic Greek architecture, most especially in the Vatican. Though he was influenced by many, Michelangelo had the most serious effect on him, both personally and professionally.
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Come From?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Come From? 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.Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Residents of cities, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains needed to be connected 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 source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Designers thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and celebrate the designer responsible for creating it.
Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a significant role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Urban fountains built at the end of the 19th century served only as decorative and celebratory ornaments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. The introduction of unique water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.
These days, fountains decorate public areas and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.