Fountains in Art
From the earlies civilizations, fountains have provided sustenance to humans and adorned gardens. I will discuss these remarkable sculptures.
The Egyptians offered water to their deities from fountains. One such surviving fountain is on the Dendera Temple of Hathor, Egypt, built in 1995 BCE.
During Ancient Greece in the 6th century, fountains were found in cities for drinking and in gardens for decoration. The water was brought from springs and rivers to the cities via aqueducts and bronze piping.
Rome, Italy is a travel destination for fountains. They are truly works of art and remarkable feat of engineering. Water was supplied by various aqueducts and used for drinking or as water troughs for animals (horses).
Trevi Fountain aka Fontana di Trevi, Rome, Italy is an example of Baroque architecture, built in the 18th century, depicts gods, goddesses, and sea creatures.
It will forever be immortalized in the 1960 movie "La Dolce Vita," directed by Federico Fellini.
It is advised for tourists not to drink the water (or bathe) from the Trevi Fountain.
However, at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome is Fontana della Barcaccia, a fountain built from 1626-1629, in the shape of a half-sunken ship.
Tourists are advised the water at this Roman fountain is safe to drink. Where water bottles can be filled.
Other remarkable Roman fountains are the Fountain of Four Rivers or Fontana de Quattro Fiumi, designed in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It is currently closed.
The Turtle Fountain, or Fontana delle Tartarughe is from the late Renaissance.
It was built between 1580 and 1588 and is found in the Piazza Mattei.
The Triton Fountain, or Fontana del Tritone, is another 17th century Baroque sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
In 17th century France, Louis XIV, the Sun King, moved the royal residence from the Louvre in Paris to the 2,000-acre estate in Versailles.
Marshland was drained to build gardens and removed to build fountains at the king’s request.
Engineers transported water from artificial lakes for the 2,400 fountains at Versailles, of which only fifty (50) have survived.
Move aside Bellagio resort, Las Vegas, NV, Versailles is home to the first "fountain show" in 1666.
Today, many city fountains are deemed "cooling centers" to take a break from extreme summer heat.
Many aging actresses and celebrities visit plastic surgeons with the hope of "looking young."
In 1513, Ponce de Leon discovered healing water in St. Augustine, FL, now famously known as "Fountain of Youth." [FYI: it is only a myth.]
The Egyptians offered water to their deities from fountains. One such surviving fountain is on the Dendera Temple of Hathor, Egypt, built in 1995 BCE.
During Ancient Greece in the 6th century, fountains were found in cities for drinking and in gardens for decoration. The water was brought from springs and rivers to the cities via aqueducts and bronze piping.
Rome, Italy is a travel destination for fountains. They are truly works of art and remarkable feat of engineering. Water was supplied by various aqueducts and used for drinking or as water troughs for animals (horses).
Trevi Fountain aka Fontana di Trevi, Rome, Italy is an example of Baroque architecture, built in the 18th century, depicts gods, goddesses, and sea creatures.
It will forever be immortalized in the 1960 movie "La Dolce Vita," directed by Federico Fellini.
It is advised for tourists not to drink the water (or bathe) from the Trevi Fountain.
However, at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome is Fontana della Barcaccia, a fountain built from 1626-1629, in the shape of a half-sunken ship.
Tourists are advised the water at this Roman fountain is safe to drink. Where water bottles can be filled.
Other remarkable Roman fountains are the Fountain of Four Rivers or Fontana de Quattro Fiumi, designed in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It is currently closed.
The Turtle Fountain, or Fontana delle Tartarughe is from the late Renaissance.
It was built between 1580 and 1588 and is found in the Piazza Mattei.
The Triton Fountain, or Fontana del Tritone, is another 17th century Baroque sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
In 17th century France, Louis XIV, the Sun King, moved the royal residence from the Louvre in Paris to the 2,000-acre estate in Versailles.
Marshland was drained to build gardens and removed to build fountains at the king’s request.
Engineers transported water from artificial lakes for the 2,400 fountains at Versailles, of which only fifty (50) have survived.
Move aside Bellagio resort, Las Vegas, NV, Versailles is home to the first "fountain show" in 1666.
Today, many city fountains are deemed "cooling centers" to take a break from extreme summer heat.
Many aging actresses and celebrities visit plastic surgeons with the hope of "looking young."
In 1513, Ponce de Leon discovered healing water in St. Augustine, FL, now famously known as "Fountain of Youth." [FYI: it is only a myth.]
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