Aspects of Outdoor Sculpture in Archaic Greece
Aspects of Outdoor Sculpture in Archaic Greece Archaic Greeks were well known for developing the first freestanding statuary; up until then, most carvings were constructed out of walls and pillars as reliefs.
For the most part the statues, or kouros figures, were of young and nice-looking male or female (kore) Greeks. Symbolizing beauty to the Greeks, the kouroi were made to look rigid and commonly had foot in front; the males were healthy, powerful, and nude. In around 650 BC, the variations of the kouroi became life-sized. The Archaic period was an awesome point of change for the Greeks as they grew into new modes of government, produced unique expressions of art, and achieved insights of the men and women and cultures outside of Greece. Throughout this time and other durations of historical tumult, encounters often occurred, among them battles fought between city-states such as the Arcadian wars and the Spartan invasion of Samos.
The Godfather Of Rome's Fountains
The Godfather Of Rome's Fountains There are many renowned Roman water fountains in its city center. One of the most distinguished sculptors and artists of the 17th century, nearly all of them were designed, conceptualized and constructed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. He was also a urban designer, in addition to his skills as a water fountain designer, and records of his life's work are apparent all through the avenues of Rome. Ultimately transferring to Rome to fully show their art, chiefly in the form of community water features, Bernini’s father, a famed Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son. The young Bernini was an exemplary worker and attained praise and patronage of significant painters as well as popes. At the beginning he was recognized for his sculptural abilities. An expert in ancient Greek architecture, he utilized this knowledge as a foundation and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble, most remarkably in the Vatican. He was influenced by many great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Roots
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Roots The incredible construction of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complement your home.Pure functionality was the original purpose of fountains.
Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to supply drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. To illustrate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. Fountains played a significant role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Urban fountains built at the end of the nineteenth functioned only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Modern-day fountains serve mostly as decoration for public spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational events.