The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains
The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains A fountain, an incredible piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also launch water high into the air for a noteworthy effect.Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Used until the nineteenth 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 the power of gravity.
Acting as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times utilized by Romans to beautify their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. Fountains played a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Urban fountains created at the end of the nineteenth functioned only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Decorating city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.
The Godfather Of Roman Outdoor Fountains
The Godfather Of Roman Outdoor Fountains In Rome’s city center, there are many easily recognized water fountains. One of the best ever sculptors and artists of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini fashioned, created and built almost all of them. Marks of his life's work are evident all through the roads of Rome because, in addition to his capabilities as a fountain designer, he was also a city builder. 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 exceptional workman, Bernin received praise and the patronage of popes and well known painters. At first he was celebrated for his sculpting skills. He used his knowledge and melded it effortlessly with Roman marble, most notably in the Vatican. He was influenced by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.