The Beginnings of Contemporary Wall Fountains
The Beginnings of Contemporary Wall Fountains The translation of hundreds of ancient Greek documents into Latin was commissioned by the learned Pope Nicholas V who ruled the Church in Rome from 1397 till 1455. Embellishing Rome and making it the worthy capital of the Christian world was at the core of his objectives. Starting in 1453, the ruined ancient Roman aqueduct known as the Aqua Vergine which had brought clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away, underwent reconstruction at the behest of the Pope. The ancient Roman custom of marking the entry point of an aqueduct with an imposing celebratory fountain, also known as a mostra, was restored by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was commissioned by the Pope to build a wall fountain where we now see the Trevi Fountain.
The water which eventually furnished the Trevi Fountain as well as the renown baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona came from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.
Where did Fountains Begin?
Where did Fountains Begin? 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 a noteworthy effect.From the onset, outdoor fountains were soley there to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of cities, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains needed to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Used until the nineteenth 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 the power of gravity.
Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the artist. Roman fountains often depicted images of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. To show his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to exalt the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.
The end of the 19th century saw the rise in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
These days, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to recognize individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
Bernini’s First Italian Water Fountains
Bernini’s First Italian Water Fountains The Barcaccia, Bernini's first water fountain, is a magnificent chef d'oeuvre built at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. Roman residents and site seers who appreciate conversation as well as being the company of others still flood this spot. Today, the city streets around Bernini's fountain are a trendy area where people go to gather, something which the artist would have been pleased to learn. In about 1630, the great artist built the very first water fountain of his career at the behest of Pope Ubano VIII. People can now see the fountain as a depiction of a commanding ship gradually sinking into the Mediterranean. According to 16th century documents, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was memorialized by the eye-catching fountain. In 1665 Bernini traveled to France, in what was to be his sole prolonged absence from Italy.
Your Garden: A Great Place for a Wall Fountain
Your Garden: A Great Place for a Wall Fountain The inclusion of a wall fountain or an outdoor garden fountain is an excellent way to adorn your yard or garden design.
Many modern designers and artisans have been influenced by historical fountains and water features. As such, the effect of integrating one of these to your interior decor binds it to past times. In addition to the wonderful attributes of garden fountains, they also produce water and moisture which goes into the air, thereby, attracting birds as well as other creatures and harmonizing the environment. For example, irritating flying insects are usually discouraged by the birds attracted to the fountain or birdbath. Spouting or cascading fountains are not the best choice for a small yard since they occupy a great deal of space. You can choose to set up a stand-alone fountain with a flat back and an connected basin propped against a fence or wall in your backyard, or a wall-mounted type which is self-contained and suspended from a wall. Both a fountain mask located on the existing wall as well as a basin located at the bottom to collect the water are equired if you wish to include a fountain. Since the plumbing and masonry work is substantial to complete this type of job, you should hire a specialist to do it rather than attempt to do it alone.