Archaic Greek Art: Large Statuary

Archaic Greek Art: Large Statuary The Archaic Greeks manufactured the very first freestanding statuary, an amazing achievement as most sculptures up until then had been reliefs cut into walls and pillars. For the most part the statues, or kouros figures, were of young and attractive male or female (kore) Greeks. Symbolizing beauty to the Greeks, the kouroi were crafted to look stiff and commonly had foot forward; the males were healthy, sturdy, and nude. In around 650 BC, the varieties of the kouroi became life-sized. The Archaic period was turbulent for the Greeks as they evolved into more refined forms of government and art, and gained more data about the peoples and civilizations outside of Greece. Similar to other periods of historical unrest, conflicts were common, and there were struggles between city-states like The Arcadian wars, the Spartan invasion of Samos.

The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Garden Fountains

The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Garden Fountains In order to ensure that water fountains last a while, it is important to practice regular maintenance. It is easy for foreign items to find their way into open-air fountains, so keeping it clean is essential. Also, algae has a tendency to build up anywhere natural light meets water. To avoid this, take vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or sea salt and add straight into the water. Bleach can also be put into the water, however this is not the ideal option as it can harm birds or other animals. One Cleaning Solution NEVER Use Outdoor Garden Fountains 944485898382.jpg

One Cleaning Solution NEVER Use Outdoor Garden Fountains 944485898382.jpg

Experts advise that the typical garden fountain undergoes a thorough cleaning every three-four months. First you must remove the water. When you have done this, wash inside the water reservoir with a mild detergent. Feel free to use a toothbrush if helpful for any stubborn crevasses. Any soap residue left on your fountain can damage it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.

Some organisms and calcium deposits can get inside the pump, so it is advised to take it apart and clean it completely. Soaking it in vinegar for a bit will make it easier to clean. If you want to eliminate build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water versus tap water, as these don’t contain any elements that will stick to the inside of the pump.

Lastly, make sure your fountain is always full by checking it every day - this will keep it in tip-top condition. If the water level drops below the pump’s intake level, it can harm the pump and cause it to burn out - something you don't want to happen!

Where did Landscape Fountains Originate from?

Where did Landscape Fountains Originate from? 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 enhance your home.

The main purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, from aqueducts or springs nearby. Landscape Fountains Originate from? 86103284205376.jpg Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or shoot high into the air. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and celebrate the artist. Roman fountains often depicted images of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains made to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.

Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.

Nowadays, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.

Acqua Vergine: The Solution to Rome's Water Troubles

Acqua Vergine: The Solution to Rome's Water Troubles Rome’s very first elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in 273 BC; before that, residents residing at higher elevations had to rely on local creeks for their water. Over this period, there were only 2 other technologies capable of offering water to higher areas, subterranean wells and cisterns, which accumulated rainwater. To supply water to Pincian Hill in the early sixteenth century, they employed the brand-new approach of redirecting the circulation from the Acqua Vergine aqueduct’s underground network. Throughout the time of its initial building and construction, pozzi (or manholes) were placed at set intervals alongside the aqueduct’s channel. While these manholes were manufactured to make it less difficult to protect the aqueduct, it was also feasible to use containers to remove water from the channel, which was utilized by Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi from the time he acquired the property in 1543 to his passing in 1552. Even though the cardinal also had a cistern to get rainwater, it couldn't provide a sufficient amount of water. That is when he made the decision to create an access point to the aqueduct that ran directly below his property.