"Primitive" Greek Art: Outdoor Statuary
"Primitive" Greek Art: Outdoor Statuary The first freestanding sculpture was developed by the Archaic Greeks, a notable success since until then the only carvings in existence were reliefs cut into walls and columns. Most of these freestanding sculptures were what is known as kouros figures, statues of young, attractive male or female (kore) Greeks. The kouroi were believed by the Greeks to typify beauty and were sculpted with one foot leading and an uncompromising firmness to their forward-facing poses; the male statues were always strapping, brawny, and unclothed. In around 650 BC, the differences of the kouroi became life-sized.
The Archaic period was an amazing time of change for the Greeks as they extended into new forms of government, formed fresh expressions of art, and achieved knowledge of the people and cultures outside of Greece. Conflicts like The Arcadian wars, the Spartan invasion of Samos, and other wars between city-states are indicative of the tumultuous nature of the time, which was similar to other periods of historical upset. However, these conflicts did not significantly hinder the advancement of the Greek civilization.
Modern Garden Decoration: Garden Fountains and their Roots
Modern Garden Decoration: Garden Fountains and their Roots The amazing or decorative effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, in addition to delivering drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property.Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with drinking water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Used until the nineteenth 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 gravity.
Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and celebrate the artist. The main materials used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the building of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts arrived in the city of Rome
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the power of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Contemporary fountains are used to embellish public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
The City Of Rome, Gian Bernini, And Fountains
The City Of Rome, Gian Bernini, And Fountains There are numerous celebrated fountains in the city center of Rome. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the most brilliant sculptors and artists of the 17th century designed, created and produced nearly all of them. Also a city builder, he had abilities as a water fountain designer, and marks of his life's work are noticeable throughout the streets of Rome. Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, guided his young son, and they finally settled in Rome, to fully show their artwork in the form of community water fountains and water fountains. An outstanding workman, Bernin earned encouragement and the patronage of popes and well known artists. Originally he was well known for his sculpting skills. An expert in historical Greek engineering, he used this knowledge as a platform and melded it gracefully with Roman marble, most notably in the Vatican. He was affected by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.Back Story of Wall Fountains
Back Story of Wall Fountains Himself a highly educated man, Pope Nicholas V headed the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 till 1455 and was responsible for the translation of scores of age-old documents from their original Greek into Latin. In order to make Rome worthy of being the capital of the Christian world, the Pope decided to enhance the beauty of the city. Restoration of the Acqua Vergine, a ruined Roman aqueduct which had transported clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the behest of the Pope. The ancient Roman custom of building an imposing commemorative fountain at the location where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was restored by Nicholas V. The present-day site of the Trevi Fountain was previously occupied by a wall fountain commissioned by the Pope and built by the architect Leon Battista Alberti. The Trevi Fountain as well as the renowned baroque fountains located in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona were eventually supplied with water from the modified aqueduct he had reconstructed.