Ancient Water Fountain Artists
Ancient Water Fountain Artists Commonly working as architects, sculptors, designers, engineers and cultivated scholars, all in one, fountain creators were multi-faceted people from the 16th to the late 18th century. Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance artist, was celebrated as a inventive intellect, inventor and scientific expert. He methodically recorded his observations in his now renowned notebooks, after his tremendous fascination in the forces of nature guided him to examine the attributes and mobility of water. Early Italian water feature builders transformed private villa configurations into amazing water exhibits complete of symbolic meaning and natural beauty by coupling creativity with hydraulic and gardening talent. The humanist Pirro Ligorio, distinguished for his virtuosity in archeology, architecture and garden design, provided the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli. Masterminding the extraordinary water marbles, water features and water jokes for the numerous estates in the vicinity of Florence, some other water fountain creators were well versed in humanistic issues as well as time-honored scientific texts.Contemporary Garden Decoration: Outdoor Fountains and their Beginnings

Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, from aqueducts or springs nearby. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water flow downwards or shoot high into the air. Acting as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller variations 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 exalt their positions by including 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 restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Contemporary fountains are used to adorn community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.