"Old School" Water Fountain Designers

Water feature designers were multi-talented people from the 16th to the later part of the 18th century, often serving as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and highly educated scholars all in one. Exemplifying the Renaissance artist as a inspiring genius, Leonardo da Vinci toiled as an innovator and scientific expert. He methodically annotated his observations in his now famed notebooks about his research into the forces of nature and the attributes and mobility of water. Early Italian fountain builders changed private villa settings into ingenious water displays full with emblematic meaning and natural charm by combining creativity with hydraulic and horticultural talent. The humanist Pirro Ligorio, distinguished for his virtuosity in archeology, architecture and garden design, offered the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli. Well versed in humanistic subject areas and established technical readings, other fountain designers were masterminding the phenomenal water marbles, water functions and water antics for the various properties around Florence.

The Impact of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Gardens

The Impact of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Gardens The Anglo-Saxon way of life was significantly changed by the introduction of the Normans in the later eleventh century. The talent of the Normans exceeded the Anglo-Saxons' in architecture and farming at the time of the conquest. Impact Norman Invasion Anglo-Saxon Gardens 0655262432835708361.jpg

Impact Norman Invasion Anglo-Saxon Gardens 0655262432835708361.jpg

But before focusing on home-life or having the occasion to consider domestic architecture or decoration, the Normans had to subjugate an entire population. Castles were more fundamental constructions and often constructed on blustery hills, where their people devoted both time and space to exercising offense and defense, while monasteries were considerable stone buildings, regularly situated in the widest, most fertile hollows. The serene practice of gardening was not viable in these dreary bastions. Berkeley Castle is perhaps the most unchanged model in existence at present of the early Anglo-Norman form of architecture. It is said that the keep was created during William the Conqueror's time. A significant terrace serves as a hindrance to intruders who would attempt to mine the walls of the building. One of these terraces, a charming bowling green, is covered grass and flanked by an old yew hedge cut into the figure of crude battlements.