Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Most Impressive Fountains
Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Most Impressive Fountains Bernini's earliest water fountain, named Barcaccia, is a breath taking work of art seen at the bottom of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. Roman locals and site seers who enjoy conversation as well as being the company of others still go to this spot. Today, the city streets around Bernini's fountain are a trendy place where people go to meet, something which the artist would have been pleased to learn. In about 1630, the great artist designed the first water fountain of his career at the behest of Pope Ubano VIII. Illustrated in the fountain's design is a great vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The great 16th century flood of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the water fountain according to writings from the time. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's only extended voyage outside of Italy.Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin?
The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complete your home. Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs nearby. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also generated 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. Fountains enjoyed a significant role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
The end of the nineteenth century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly 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.
Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for public spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational gatherings.
Backyard Elegance: Landscape Fountains
Backyard Elegance: Landscape Fountains Having a pond near your garden water fountain is no longer required because they can now be placed on a wall close by. In addition, it is no longer necessary to dig, deal with a complicated installation process or clean the pond.
There is no plumbing necessary with this kind of self-contained water feature. However, water must be added regularly. Your pond and the surrounding area are sure to get dirty at some point so be sure to empty the water from the basin and replenish it with clean water. Garden wall fountains come in many different materials, but they are normally made of stone and metal. You must know the look you are shooting for in order to pick the best suited material. The best designs for your garden wall fountain are those which are hand-crafted, simple to put up and not too cumbersome to hang. Owning a water feature which needs little maintenance is important as well. Even though installing certain fountains can be hard, the majority take little work because the only parts which demand special care are the re-circulating pump and the equipment to hang them. Little exertion is needed to liven up your garden with these types of fountains.
A Chronicle of Garden Fountains
A Chronicle of Garden Fountains
The translation of hundreds of classic Greek documents into Latin was commissioned by the learned Pope Nicholas V who ruled the Church in Rome from 1397 till 1455. He undertook the embellishment of Rome to make it into the model capital of the Christian world. Starting in 1453, the ruined ancient Roman aqueduct known as the Aqua Vergine which had brought fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, underwent restoration at the bidding of the Pope. A mostra, a monumental celebratory fountain constructed by ancient Romans to mark the point of entry of an aqueduct, was a tradition which was restored by Nicholas V. The present-day location of the Trevi Fountain was formerly occupied by a wall fountain commissioned by the Pope and built by the architect Leon Battista Alberti. The aqueduct he had reconditioned included modifications and extensions which eventually enabled it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the renowned baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.