A Brief History of Early Water Features
A Brief History of Early Water Features
As initially conceived, water fountains were designed to be practical, directing water from streams or reservoirs to the citizens of cities and settlements, where the water could be used for cooking, washing, and drinking. In the days before electricity, the spray of fountains was driven by gravity only, usually using an aqueduct or water supply located far away in the nearby mountains. Inspirational and spectacular, large water fountains have been crafted as monuments in nearly all cultures. When you see a fountain nowadays, that is not what the 1st water fountains looked like. Basic stone basins created from local material were the first fountains, used for spiritual purposes and drinking water. Natural stone basins as fountains have been found from 2000 B.C.. The very first civilizations that utilized fountains relied on gravity to force water through spigots. The placement of the fountains was driven by the water source, which is why you’ll usually find them along aqueducts, canals, or rivers. Wildlife, Gods, and Spiritual figures dominated the very early decorative Roman fountains, beginning to appear in about 6 BC. The extraordinary aqueducts of Rome supplied water to the eye-catching public fountains, many of which you can go see today.
Bernini's Water Features
Bernini's Water Features There are countless famous Roman water features in its city center. Almost all of them were designed, conceived and constructed by one of the finest sculptors and designers of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. His skills as a water fountain developer and also as a city designer, are obvious throughout the streets of Rome. Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they ultimately moved to Rome, in order to fully express their art, primarily in the form of public water fountains and water features.
An excellent employee, the young Bernini acquired compliments and patronage of various popes and influential artists. Initially he was celebrated for his sculpting skills. Working effortlessly with Roman marble, he utilized a base of knowledge in the classic Greek architecture, most notably in the Vatican. He was affected by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.