Statues As a Staple of Classic Art in Historic Greece

Statues Staple Classic Art Historic Greece 974955768568188505.jpg

Statues As a Staple of Classic Art in Historic Greece Archaic Greeks were renowned for creating the first freestanding statuary; up until then, most carvings were made out of walls and pillars as reliefs. Most of the freestanding statues were of youthful, winsome male or female (kore) Greeks and are termed kouros figures. Symbolizing beauty to the Greeks, the kouroi were designed to look stiff and commonly had foot in front; the males were healthy, robust, and nude. In about 650 BC, the differences of the kouroi became life-sized. During the Archaic time, a great time of changes, the Greeks were evolving new sorts of government, expressions of art, and a better understanding of people and cultures outside Greece. But these disputes did not prevent the emergence of the Greek civilization. {

Anglo Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest

Anglo Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest The advent of the Normans in the later half of the eleventh century considerably modified The Anglo-Saxon ways of living. Anglo Saxon Landscapes Time Norman Conquest 4844032727391827.jpg

Anglo Saxon Landscapes Time Norman Conquest 4844032727391827.jpg

The ability of the Normans exceeded the Anglo-Saxons' in design and agriculture at the time of the conquest. But nevertheless home life, household architecture, and decoration were out of the question until the Normans taken over the rest of the population. Monasteries and castles served separate functions, so while monasteries were large stone structures constructed in only the most productive, wide dales, castles were set upon blustery knolls where the residents focused on learning offensive and defensive tactics. The barren fortresses did not provide for the quiet avocation of gardening. Berkeley Castle, potentially the most pristine model of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture, still exists now. The keep is thought to date from the time of William the Conqueror. A spacious terrace meant for exercising and as a means to stop enemies from mining below the walls runs about the building. One of these terraces, a charming bowling green, is covered grass and flanked by an ancient yew hedge trimmed into the shape of crude battlements.

Bernini's First Showpieces

Bernini's First Showpieces Bernini's First Showpieces 7646945678467.jpg

The Barcaccia, Bernini's first fountain, is a magnificent chef d'oeuvre built at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. This spot is still filled with Roman locals and tourists who enjoy exchanging gossip or going over the day's news. The streets surrounding his fountain have come to be one of the city’s most trendy meeting places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. In around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII helped Bernini launch his professional life with the construction of his first fountain. Depicted in the fountain's design is a great vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. Period reports dating back to the 16th century show that the fountain was built as a monument to those who lost their lives in the great flooding of the Tevere. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's only extended journey outside of Italy.

The First Public Fountains

The First Public Fountains Water fountains were originally practical in function, used to bring water from rivers or springs to cities and hamlets, providing the residents with clean water to drink, wash, and cook with. To make water flow through a fountain until the end of the 1800’s, and generate a jet of water, required the force of gravity and a water source such as a creek or reservoir, located higher than the fountain. Typically used as memorials and commemorative structures, water fountains have impressed people from all over the world all through the ages. The common fountains of modern times bear little similarity to the first water fountains. The very first recognized water fountain was a natural stone basin created that served as a receptacle for drinking water and ceremonial purposes. The earliest stone basins are presumed to be from around 2000 B.C.. The force of gravity was the energy source that controlled the initial water fountains. Drinking water was delivered by public fountains, long before fountains became elaborate public statues, as beautiful as they are functional. The Romans began constructing elaborate fountains in 6 BC, most of which were metallic or stone masks of wildlife and mythological characters. First Public Fountains 0335745658232881.jpg

First Public Fountains 0335745658232881.jpg

Water for the public fountains of Rome arrived to the city via a complicated system of water aqueducts.