The Major Characteristics of Ancient Greek Statuary
The Major Characteristics of Ancient Greek Statuary Archaic Greeks were known for creating the first freestanding statuary; up till then, most carvings were constructed out of walls and pillars as reliefs. Most of the freestanding statues were of young, winsome male or female (kore) Greeks and are known as kouros figures.
Regarded as by Greeks to represent beauty, the kouroi were structured into rigid, forward facing positions with one foot outstretched, and the male statues were usually nude, well-developed, and athletic. The kouroi started to be life-sized beginning in 650 BC. During the Archaic time, a great time of changes, the Greeks were evolving new forms of government, expressions of art, and a better awareness of people and cultures outside Greece. But in spite of the conflicts, the Greek civilization went on to advance, unabated.
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin?
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin? A fountain, an amazing piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for an extraordinary effect. From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply meant to serve as functional elements. Residents of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains had to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. 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 gravity. Serving as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also supplied clean, fresh drinking water. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries manufactured baroque decorative fountains to glorify the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered 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. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.
The Subtle Appeal of the Garden Wall Fountain
The Subtle Appeal of the Garden Wall Fountain
Adding a wall fountain as a decoration element will make a wonderful impression on your family and friends. In addition to the calming background sounds a wall water feature adds to any living space, it also imparts charm. In order to leave a lasting memory on your visitors, share the beauty and delicate sounds of your water feature with them. A living area with a contemporary design can also benefit from a wall fountain. If you want to enhance your modern-day decor, consider adding one made of stainless steel or glass. Is the floor space in your residence or workplace scarce? The best option for you is adding a wall water fountain. You can save your precious space by hanging one on a wall. Office buildings with busy lobbies commonly have one of these fountains. Inside spaces are not the only places to hang a wall fountain, however. Fiberglass and resin are good materials to use for outside wall water features. Use water fountains made of these weather-proof materials to liven up your back yard, porch, or other outdoor space.
Wall fountains can be manufactured in a variety of different looks ranging from contemporary to classic and provincial. The type most suitable for your living space depends only on your personal design ideas. A city dweller’s decor ideas might call for polished glass whereas a mountaineer might prefer a more traditional material such as slate for a mountain lodge. It is up to you to pick the right material for you. There is no doubting the fact that fountains are features which impress visitors and add to your quality of life.
The Original Garden Fountain Artists
The Original Garden Fountain Artists Often working as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and cultivated scholars all in one, from the 16th to the late 18th century, fountain designers were multi-talented individuals, Exemplifying the Renaissance skilled artist as a imaginative master, Leonardo da Vinci worked as an innovator and scientific guru. He carefully recorded his experiences in his now celebrated notebooks, after his mind boggling fascination in the forces of nature inspired him to research the properties and motion of water. Early Italian water feature engineers changed private villa configurations into ingenious water exhibits full with emblematic meaning and natural charm by combining imagination with hydraulic and horticultural expertise.
Known for his incredible skill in archeology, design and garden design, Pirro Ligorio, the humanist, offered the vision behind the magnificence in Tivoli. Well versed in humanist themes and classic scientific readings, other water feature creators were masterminding the extraordinary water marbles, water attributes and water jokes for the various lands around Florence.