Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings 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.From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley meant to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of urban areas, 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. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their source of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from gravity. Artists thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and honor the artist responsible for building it. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. To replicate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages added fountains to their designs. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate 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 constructed to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. The introduction of special water effects and the recycling of water were 2 things made possible by replacing gravity with mechanical pumps.
Contemporary fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.
The Original Fountain Designers
The Original Fountain Designers Often serving as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and cultivated scholars all in one, from the 16th to the late 18th century, fountain designers were multi-talented individuals, Exemplifying the Renaissance skilled artist as a imaginative genius, Leonardo da Vinci worked as an inventor and scientific guru.
With his tremendous curiosity regarding the forces of nature, he explored the characteristics and movement of water and also methodically annotated his examinations in his now much celebrated notebooks. Modifying private villa settings into ingenious water showcases complete with symbolic meaning and natural wonder, early Italian fountain creators fused curiosity with hydraulic and gardening knowledge. The humanist Pirro Ligorio provided the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli and was distinguished for his virtuosity in archeology, architecture and garden design. Masterminding the excellent water marbles, water features and water antics for the various mansions in the vicinity of Florence, other fountain creators were well versed in humanist issues as well as classical technical texts.
A Small Garden Space? You Can Own a Water Fountain too!
A Small Garden Space? You Can Own a Water Fountain too! Since water makes a reflection, small spaces will appear bigger. Water features such as fountains profit from the reflective attributes coming from dark materials. Night time is a great occasion to draw attention to the illuminated, colored underwater lights in your new water feature. Benefit from the sun’s rays by using eco-lights during the day and underwater lights during the night. The comforting effect created by these is oftentimes used in nature therapies to alleviate anxiety and stress.Your backyard vegetation is a fantastic place to blend in your water feature. Ponds, artificial rivers, or fountains are just some of the ways you can you can make it become the central feature on your property. Water features make great add ons to both large gardens or small patios. The most appropriate accessories and the best location for it are worthwhile if you want to better the atmosphere.