Ancient Water Fountain Designers

Water fountain designers were multi-talented people from the 16th to the later part of the 18th century, often working as architects, sculptors, artisans, engineers and cultivated scholars all in one. Exemplifying the Renaissance artist as a imaginative legend, Leonardo da Vinci performed as an innovator and scientific expert. He methodically recorded his observations in his now famed notebooks about his investigations into the forces of nature and the attributes and mobility of water. Early Italian water fountain designers transformed private villa configurations into amazing water displays complete with symbolic meaning and natural beauty by coupling creativity with hydraulic and horticultural expertise. The humanist Pirro Ligorio, celebrated for his virtuosity in archeology, architecture and garden design, delivered the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli. For the assorted properties in the vicinity of Florence, other water feature designers were well versed in humanist topics as well as ancient technical texts, masterminding the phenomenal water marbles, water attributes and water jokes.

The Very First Outdoor Water Features of Human History

The Very First Outdoor Water Features of Human History The water from springs and other sources was initially supplied to the occupants of nearby communities and cities via water fountains, whose design was primarily practical, not aesthetic. In the days before electricity, the spray of fountains was driven by gravity exclusively, usually using an aqueduct or water resource located far away in the surrounding hills. Inspirational and spectacular, prominent water fountains have been crafted as memorials in many societies. The common fountains of today bear little likeness to the very first water fountains. Uncomplicated stone basins crafted from nearby rock were the very first fountains, used for religious purposes and drinking water. Stone basins as fountains have been uncovered from 2,000 B.C.. The force of gravity was the power source that controlled the oldest water fountains. Located near aqueducts or creeks, the functional public water fountains provided the local citizens with fresh drinking water. First Outdoor Water Features Human History 22991403688695983434.jpg

First Outdoor Water Features Human History 22991403688695983434.jpg

The people of Rome began building ornate fountains in 6 BC, most of which were metallic or stone masks of wildlife and mythological heroes. The extraordinary aqueducts of Rome provided water to the spectacular public fountains, many of which you can visit today.