As weve seen with berninis previous work, baroque sculpture is really all about pushing the figure to its most dynamic position. The world of art would never be the same after the arrival of star sculptor gian lorenzo bernini. Fontana dei quattro fiumi fountain of the four rivers is a fountain in the piazza navona in rome, italy. In piazza navona, berninis sumptuous baroque fountain of the four rivers graces the piazza. Berninis first two designs for the south fountain, consisting of a shell and fish, and tritons and dolphins, were rejected by the pope, who in 1653 gave the instruction instead to. Statues of the fountain symbolize four major rivers of that time.
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. Fortunately, however, the fountain that stands today is indeed bernini s work. Bernini, it is sometimes forgotten, was a great animalier. 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. The fountain of the four rivers guides diary eyes of rome. Gianlorenzo bernini, the chief architect of the fountain of the four rivers, was. Video introduction to bernini four rivers fountain and the moor. The exhibition was deeply moving from beginning to end. 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.
Fontana dei quattro fiumi is a fountain in the piazza navona in rome, italy. Berninis fountain of the four rivers restored quattro fiumi. A wealth of new technical information affirms the view that bernininot some. Dutch soccer hooligans damage historic bernini fountain in. The fountain of the four rivers fontana dei quattro fiumi by gian lorenzo bernini inaugurated in 1651. It was designed by gian lorenzo bernini for pope innocent x reigned 16441655.
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. Dutch soccer fans wreaked havoc on rome over the past two days, damaging a 17thcentury fountain designed by bernini and leaving the citys historic center strewn with trash. Gianlorenzo bernini, fountain of the four rivers, 16481651, rome, piazza navona source artstor in erecting an obelisk innocent was following in the footsteps of the highly popular sixtus v, who had erected several in rome, including one outside of st. New, sculpture of lion in solid silver berninis lion from the fountain of the four rivers italy gian lorenzo bernini statue replica. History tells two stories of how bernini accomplished winning the commission for the four rivers fountain. This includes buildings by bernini and his arch rival, borromini. A few years earlier, in 164851, bernini had designed the fountain of the four rivers, topped by a monumental obelisk, as the focal point of the refurbished piazza. Gian lorenzo bernini, italian artist who was perhaps the greatest sculptor of the 17th century and an outstanding architect as well. Four rivers fountain by bernini in piazza navona roma wonder. When innocent x was inspecting the fountain before it was. Fontana dei quattro fiumi is een fontein in barokke stijl op het piazza navona te rome, vervaardigd door gian lorenzo bernini. It supports the papal coat of arms of innocent x, with a pigeon holding an olive branch in its beak. The fountain was designed and completed in 1651 by one of the leading sculptors of the time, gian lorenzo bernini. The truth about berninis baroque fountain of the four.
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. The later fountain of the four rivers 164851, piazza navona, rome demonstrates berninis knowledge of engineering principles. The borghese gallery is probably the best place to appreciate berninis talent and genius and is admirably known to have the greatest collection of the artist in apollo and daphne 162225, inspired by a story from the tale of ovids metamorphosis,marble leaves are rendered with. During a lifetime marked by the giddiest of heights including knighthood and close friendships with popes and royalty as well as the most dismal of lows dramatic professional failures and a homicidally tumultuous love life, bernini forever changed the face of the city of rome and single. From art history 101, gian lorenzo bernini, fountain of the four rivers, the ganges asia 16481651, travertine and marble. Fountain of the four rivers, rome tutorial at home. Bernini fountains is the worlds first, and only, rechargeable garden fountain. The fountain represents the four continents and their rivers, the obelisk in the center is the symbol of christ and the triumphing roman catholic church over. Fountain of the four rivers rome travel through italy. Berninis best known works may be his glorious fountain of the four rivers, the centerpiece of romes piazza navona, and the graceful colonnade that welcomes worshippers to saint peters. This composition preceded and prepared the great composition of saint peters throne in the san pietro. Fountain of the four rivers fountain by bernini britannica. Inventive and skilled, he virtually created the baroque style. 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.
In his religious sculptures he excelled at capturing movement and extreme emotion, uniting figures with their setting to create a single conception of overwhelming intensity that expressed the fervour of counterreformation rome. The four rivers fountains sits right in the middle of piazza navona, in the centro storico of rome, work of berninis genius. Berninis fountain of the four rivers restored quattro. It was designed in 1651 by gian lorenzo bernini for pope innocent x whose. Where to find berninis statues, fountains, paintings and architecture in rome. New, sculpture of lion in solid silver bernini s lion from the fountain of the four rivers italy gian lorenzo bernini statue replica. And according to the gospels, the inri sign was affixed to jesus cross. This fountain is one of his most spectacular works.
Bernini s fountain with borrominis church also cleaned. The obelisk, made of aswan granite, has an interesting history. The fountain of the four rivers by the italian artist gian lorenzo bernini is one of the most spectacular fountains in the world. The superscription consists of inri which stands for the latin phrase jesus the nazarene, king of the jews. Other articles where fountain of the four rivers is discussed. Piazza navona with berninis fountain of the four rivers. The fountain of the four rivers is also known as the fontana dei quattro fiumi and is located in the piazza navona in rome.
Bernini was an astounding artist, and his fountain of the four rivers is just one small symbol of his genius. 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. Surprisingly, his design was selected out of competition. Berninis masterpiece stands in front of the church of santagnese in agone, a work of borromini. The latter is the river that forms part of the border between argentina and uruguay. The fountain of the four rivers by bernini in rome. A naturalistic rock formation supports a monumental obelisk, creating the illusion of a magically. Originally pope innocent x, to whom the fountain was created, asked for designs from the other leading architects in rome. The impressive fountain faces the church of santagnese in agone, which was constructed by borromini, berninis eternal rival. Berninis genius the baroque master animated 17thcentury rome with his astonishing sculpture and architecture berninis fountain of the four rivers dale halbur.
Romes love affair with fountains goes back to antiquity, whilst the city today can boast a collection of public fountains that has no parallel to any other city in the world. The master himself created the lion, sea creature and the palm tree. The fountain of the four rivers in piazza navona, rome. The sculptures of the gods include features and emblems that are representative of the four rivers and their locations. Italian sculptor and architect gian lorenzo bernini 15981680 was a genius of the baroque era who left an indelible mark on romes artistic and architectural heritage. The renaissance geographers say that the fountain of the four rivers represents the gods of the four great rivers in the four continents. Fortunately, however, the fountain that stands today is indeed berninis work. Fontana dei quattro fiumi by gian lorenzo bernini facts.
The danube, representing europe, was created by antonio raggi. Franco mormandos book shows him in full as a man for the first time, and he is as. This fountain, which can be strolled around, was built on piazza navona, the site of the stadium of domitian, built in 1st century ad. The colossal figures of sea gods on the fountain of the four rivers were sculpted by berninis students. At its center of the piazza is yet another bernini masterpiece from 1651, the fountain of four rivers. From the remaining sketches it is unambigous that the idea and design are berninis.
In one story, the popes nephew encouraged bernini to create a model. In baroque rome, fountains were seen as a reflection of the generosity associated with papal families. 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. Giantex 2 tier barrel waterfall fountain rustic wood barrel water fountain wpump outdoor garden 3.
Completed in 1651, the fountain of four rivers has long been considered one of the greatest public works done by bernini. It was commissioned by pope innocent x and located in the piazza navona in rome. Bernini fontana dei quattro fiumi or fountain of 4 rivers. 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.
This is probably the most beloved of berninis roman fountains and can be found at piazza navona. Gian lorenzo bernini 15981680 was the most influential sculptor of his age. Our most fully featured bernini fountain to date, the 5. At the base of berninis fountain are four allegorical statues, representing the major rivers of the world.
Fountain of the four rivers piazza navona navona square. Gian lorenzo bernini fountain of the four rivers, the. 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. 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. Pope innocent x giovanni battista pamphilj commissioned bernini to design the fountain in 1651 near the pamphilj palace. Even in the 1600s, there was plenty of intrigue, petty jealousy and rivalry to go around. The fountain was executed by a large group of sculptors under berninis supervision. 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.
Bernini is accredited with actually carving only the palm tree, the lion, and the horse. Just one rechargeable battery that will allow you to place your fountain anywhere you want. 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. 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. Fountain of the four rivers, rome a view on cities. In the galleria borghese his sculptures of hades pursuing persephone, apollo grasping daphne, and david confronting goliath testify to his genius for. The four rivers fountain, one of berninis most spectacular masterpieces in rome, stands right in the center of piazza navona rome. 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. The most beautiful fountains of rome walks inside rome. The four rivers fountain is located at the heart of piazza navona and towers over 50 meters in height.
He was also an amazing sculptor and loved painting. While a major figure in the world of architecture, he was, also and even more prominently, the leading sculptor of his age, credited with creating the baroque style. 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. Berninis fountain with borrominis church also cleaned. One work that struck this viewer with the force of revelation is the superb model for the lion on the four rivers fountain ca. Fountain of the four rivers by bernini, gian lorenzo. Temporary festival structures and berninis fountain of the four rivers by nathan lindstrom shepard a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the master of arts degree in art history in the graduate college of the university of iowa december 2012 thesis supervisor.