This fountain is one of many that gian lorenzo bernini designed and executed throughout his life. This includes buildings by bernini and his arch rival, borromini. The centerpiece of piazza navona, the fountain of the four rivers has been in place since the 17th century. In a city of famous fountains, berninis fountain of the four rivers fontana delle quattro fiumi in piazza navona is a headliner. Domenico bernini attributes the commission to the sympathetic scheming of niccolo ludovisi, the husband of innocent. Fontana dei quattro fiumi the fountain of the four rivers fontana dei quattro fiumi fountain of the four rivers is a fountain situated in the piazza navona in rome, italy. This fountain is located in the piazza navona, rome. This is probably the most beloved of berninis roman fountains and can be found at piazza navona. This baroque masterpiece was built in 1651 in the center of one of romes most elegant squares, and it continues to delight centuries later with its. Berninis masterpiece is not the only fountain within piazza navona, there are two others. The fountain of the four rivers the fountain of the four rivers was sculpted by gian lorenzo bernini from 164851 out of travertine and marble. Bernini is one of the most famous sculptors in history. The fountain of the four rivers fontana dei quattro fiumi by gian lorenzo bernini inaugurated in 1651.
Fountain of the four rivers, rome fantastic fountains. Fontana dei quattro fiumi is een fontein in barokke stijl op het piazza navona te rome, vervaardigd door gian lorenzo bernini. Save time and money with our best price guarantee make the most of your visit to rome. Fountain of the four rivers, rome the fountain of the.
The trevi is the largest baroque fountain in the city, and in 2016 alone, had 1. Its name the four rivers, comes from the four large male allegorical figures on the corners, who are river gods. Its complex invention, personifications of the four rivers lie around a basin of. At the corners of the base are four allegorical male figures made of marble. In the middle of the fountain theres an ancient obelisk brought there from. Fountain of the four rivers fontana delle quattro fiumi. At its center of the piazza is yet another bernini masterpiece from 1651, the fountain of four rivers. In one story, the popes nephew encouraged bernini to create a model. Im sure my interest spun senselessly from one thing to another, but because i was a normal savage little american boy, it was always war that i gravitated toward. Fontana dei quattro fiumi the fountain of the four rivers the fountain of the four rivers, designed by bernini in 1648, is my favorite. The piece considered to be bernini s crowning achievement is the four rivers fountain located in piazza navona, which was created for pope innocent x 164455. Romans threw coins into fountains and water in general for the gods in hopes of good fortune and a safe.
The fountain of four rivers can be found in between the two other fountains in the square. Fountain of the four rivers fountain by bernini britannica. The fountain of the four rivers by bernini in rome. It was designed in 1651 by gian lorenzo bernini for pope innocent x whose.
Fortunately, however, the fountain that stands today is indeed berninis work. Fontana dei quattro fiumi fountain of the four rivers. Fountain of the four rivers, rome a view on cities. The four rivers fountain is not merely an architectural structure. The fountain is composed of a big rustic rock in the middle, topped by a granite obelisk. Fontana dei quattro fiumi is a fountain in the piazza navona in rome, italy. Bernini created the baroque style of sculpture and developed it to such an extent that other artists are of only minor importance in a discussion of that style.
The entire fountain was built in only three years, starting in 1648 and ending in 1651. While romes love affair with fountains, in general, goes back to the antiquity, during the baroque era it took another twist in which roman fountains appeared as a reflection of papal generosity. This fountain is one of his most spectacular works. The construction and decoration is wrapped with its symbols and intentions. History tells two stories of how bernini accomplished winning the commission for the four. The fountain of the four rivers in piazza navona, rome. The colossal figures of sea gods on the fountain of the four rivers were sculpted by bernini s students. Book your fountain of the four rivers tickets online and skiptheline. The masterpiece was finally unveiled to the world on june 12, 1651, to joyous celebration and. The fountain of the four rivers by the italian artist gian lorenzo bernini is one of the most spectacular fountains in the world.
The colossal figures of sea gods on the fountain of the four rivers were sculpted by berninis students. In the center of piazza navona you can see the beautiful, famous and massive fountain of the four rivers which was built in 1651 by the prominent architect bernini. Water falls from the cave into a large shell of the four rivers fountain with its sides resting on the rocks, and then into a huge round shallow pool. This fountain, which can be strolled around, was built on piazza navona, the site of the stadium of domitian, built in 1st century ad. It supports the papal coat of arms of innocent x, with a pigeon holding an olive branch in its beak. The piazza navona in rome was built over the ancient domitians stadium but perhaps its most famous for having bernini s beautiful 17th century fountain of the four rivers sculpture seen in. It demonstrates berninis knowledge of engineering principles. It was designed in 1651 by gian lorenzo bernini for pope innocent x whose family palace, the palazzo pamphili, faced onto the piazza as did the church of santagnese in agone of which innocent was the sponsor the base of the fountain is a basin from the centre of which travertine rocks. Fountains were seen as representing the four great rivers of the world recognized renaissance geographers. I read this work as a propaganda, which intends to promote christianity to the continents of the world, to strengthen publics belief about christian faith and to support church. Pope innocent x preferred to collaborate with francesco borromini, while bernini received support. The fountain of the four rivers is an elaborated work of art is designed by bernini, one of the most famous artists of his time. The four rivers fountain is a spectacular example of baroque sculpture as well as an example of how the arts can be used as a.
Pope innocent x, who was pope from 16441655, had a family residence on the piazza, so he made sure the very best architects and artists of the time went to work there. The fountain served as a public emblem of the catholic churchs dominance and. The fountain of the four rivers is a fountain in rome, italy, located in the piazza navona. It was commissioned by pope innocent x and located in the piazza navona in rome.
History tells two stories of how bernini accomplished winning the commission for the four rivers fountain. The danube, representing europe, was created by antonio raggi. Before the creation of the fountain of the four rivers, bernini had successfully constructed the fountain of triton in piazza barberini, the fountain of the moor at the southern end of piazza navona and the statue of neptune and the triton for the villa peretti montalto, which now resides at the victoria and albert museum in london. The obelisk, made of aswan granite, has an interesting history.
How does gianlorenzo berninis fountain of the four rivers. The popes family palace, the palazzo pamphili, faced onto the piazza as did the church of santagnese in agone of which innocent was the sponsor. A fountain from the latin fons genitive fontis, a source or spring is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air to supply drinking water andor for a decorative or dramatic effect fountains were originally purely functional, connected to springs or aqueducts and used to provide drinking water and water for bathing and washing to the residents of. The circumstances surrounding innocent xs selection of bernini to build the fountain of the four rivers are somewhat mysterious, as it is well known that the failed bell towers for the vatican and innocents extreme dislike for urban viii had cost bernini his favored status.
Thus the fountain of the four rivers stands at the center of the square, opposite the church, as if to point out the buildings presence and to highlight the devotion it symbolizes the church commemorates the martyrdom of saint agnes, in whose memory the ecclesiastical vestments called palliums are made to this day. The four gods on the corners of the fountain represent the four major rivers of the world known at the time. Photograph of a marble figure on the fountain of the four rivers in piazza navona in rome, italy. Fountain of the four rivers, rome fantastic fountains 09082019 561 times located in the piazza navona in rome, the fountain of the four rivers, alias fontana dei quattro fiumi, can easily be described as a kind of theatre in the round with its charming sculptural details, majestic presence and the dramatically spurting water. The fountain was an important source of potable water for the locals before the days of indoor plumbing, but even more importantly it was a grandiose monument to the power and glory of the pope and his family. Bernini started this work of art in 1648 and completed it in 1651. Berninis fountain of the four rivers restored quattro fiumi. The idea is that these rivers represent the four corners of the known world at the time. The four rivers fountain is a spectacular example of baroque sculpture as well as an example of how the arts can be used as a tool for propaganda. The fountain of the four rivers is located at the center of piazza navona, supporting the agonal obelisk. Each location is further enhanced by flowers and animals of their location. Bernini fontana dei quattro fiumi or fountain of 4 rivers. The fountain is a masterpiece of gian lorenzo bernini, a beautiful example of the dramatic effects of baroque artists. Romes sparkling fountain of the four rivers timeless.
The fountain of the four rivers is a complex design. Video introduction to bernini four rivers fountain and the moor. In the center of the fountain is a 120ton obelisk that towers over a travertine base. Four rivers fountain by bernini in piazza navona roma wonder. The fountain of the four rivers guides diary eyes of rome. The fountain of the four rivers is a theater in the round, whose leading actor is the movement and sound of water splashing over and cascading down a mountain of travertine marble. This sculpture depicts gods of the four great rivers that are found in the four continents that were recognized by renaissance geographers during that time period. The fountain of the four rivers in romes piazza navona 164851 supports an ancient egyptian obelisk over a hollowedout rock, surmounted by four marble figures symbolizing four major rivers of the world. Gian lorenzo bernini, italian artist who was perhaps the greatest sculptor of the 17th century and an outstanding architect as well. The fountain of the four rivers in rome italian ways. The fountain clearly intended to celebrate the supremacy of the papacy over the world, represented by the four rivers crossing the continents known at the time. It is unique in that one must walk all the way around the fountain in order to see every aspect of its carving. Fountain of the four rivers, rome tutorial at home.
Gian lorenzo bernini designed it in 1651 for pope innocent x. It was designed by gian lorenzo bernini for pope innocent x reigned 16441655. How does berninis fountain of the four rivers reflect the beliefs of the people during the baroque period of italy. Statues of the fountain symbolize four major rivers of that time. Pope innocent x pamphilis family was the one who inquired of bernini to build this massive sculpture. The piazza navona in rome was built over the ancient domitians stadium but perhaps its most famous for having berninis beautiful 17th century fountain of the four rivers sculpture seen in. The master himself created the lion, sea creature and the palm tree.
Your gaze is immediately drawn to the imposing fountain of the four rivers in the center of the piazza, dominating the scene with its powerful presence and figures that seem to come alive from the sound of the rushing streams of water the four giant nudes that form the statue are the personification of the principal rivers of the. Piazza navona with berninis fountain of the four rivers. It features the obelisk at the top, and beneath is a bust of an old river deity emerging from a cave in the rocks with its arms raised holding to the right and left, the two crests of innocent x. Water flows and splashes from varied places in the fountain, slapping on jagged edges of travertine marble, and coming out of piercings in the disordered jumble of stone. The fountain is built around a slender egyptian obelisk surmounted by a dove, a symbol both of the church and the pamphilij the papal family. This unique fountain can be found at piazza navona. Topping the obelisk is a bronze dove and olive branch, the symbol of the pamphilj family. The fountain of the four rivers, by lorenzo bernini, is one of the most famous sculptures found in the city of rome. Fountain of the four rivers piazza navona navona square. Berninis fountain of the four rivers restored quattro. Other articles where fountain of the four rivers is discussed. Created between 1648 and 1651, it is the largest and perhaps the famous artwork that bernini ever built. History in order to celebrate the jubilee of the year 1650 and to celebrate the papal family, pope innocent x pamphjli decided to adorn the wonderful piazza navona, which sits on the footprint of the first century ad. Sunnydaze inch faux wood tiered columns indoor tabletop water fountain with led light mini interior water feature for home and office small decorative fountain.
The masterpiece was finally unveiled to the world on june 12, 1651, to joyous celebration and the inevitable criticisms of the day. The figure is visible in the foreground with a building in the background. Water gushes up out of rocks forming an aqua blue pool at the basin while the four continents, or river gods, hang on and ride the waves. The fountain of the four rivers is also known as the fontana dei quattro fiumi and is located in the piazza navona in rome. I expect whatever volume i was spending the most time with had a lot to do with what id seen recently on tv or at the movies, usually a portrayal of some. The piece considered to be berninis crowning achievement is the four rivers fountain located in piazza navona, which was created for pope innocent x 164455.
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