Contemporary Sculpture in Historic Greece
Contemporary Sculpture in Historic Greece Even though the majority of sculptors were paid by the temples to embellish the sophisticated columns and archways with renderings of the gods, as the period came to a close, it became more prevalent for sculptors to represent ordinary people as well because many of Greeks had started to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred. Often times, a depiction of wealthy families' ancestors would be commissioned to be laid inside of huge familial burial tombs, and portraiture, which would be replicated by the Romans upon their conquest of Greek civilization, also became customary. Over the years of The Greek Classical period, a time of visual development, the use of sculpture and many other art forms greatly improved, so it is inaccurate to say that the arts delivered just one purpose. Whether to fulfill a visual desire or to commemorate the figures of religion, Greek sculpture was actually an innovative method in the ancient world, which may be what attracts our attention currently.The Origins Of Fountains
The Origins Of Fountains
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 an extraordinary effect. The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs nearby. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move down or shoot high into the air. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often utilized by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. The fountains seen in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Modern-day fountains serve mostly as decoration for open spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational events.