The Origins Of Garden Fountains
The Origins Of Garden Fountains A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to supply drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes.Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move down or shoot high into the air. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and memorialize the designer. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains made to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Urban fountains created at the end of the 19th century served only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Modern-day fountains serve mostly as decoration for community spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational activities.
Bernini's Water Fountains
Bernini's Water Fountains There are countless famed Roman water fountains in its city center. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the finest sculptors and artists of the 17th century developed, conceptualized and produced nearly all of them. His expertise as a fountain developer and also as a city designer, are observable all through the avenues 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. The young Bernini received encouragement from Popes and relevant artists alike, and was an exceptional worker. At the beginning he was recognized for his sculptural skills. Most famously in the Vatican, he utilized a base of expertise in classic Greek architecture and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble. Though many artists had an impact on his work, Michelangelo had the most profound effect.Ancient Crete & The Minoans: Fountains
Ancient Crete & The Minoans: Fountains Fountains and Water and the Minoan Civilization They not merely helped with the water supply, they removed rainwater and wastewater as well. Stone and clay were the elements of choice for these conduits.
When prepared from terracotta, they were generally in the format of canals and round or rectangular piping. Amidst these were terracotta piping that were U shaped or a shortened, cone-like form which have only showed up in Minoan culture. Terracotta piping were installed beneath the floor surfaces at Knossos Palace and utilized to circulate water. Along with disbursing water, the terracotta water pipes of the Minoans were also utilized to collect water and accumulate it. Therefore, these piping had to be ready to: Below ground Water Transportation: Originally this particular technique appears to have been fashioned not for convenience but rather to give water to specific individuals or rites without it being seen. Quality Water Transportation: There’s also information that indicates the pipes being used to feed water features separately of the local technique.