Trevi Fountain Explained

Trevi Fountain
Native Name:Fontana di Trevi
Native Name Lang:Italian
Location:Rome, Italy
Place Type:Fountain
Designer:Nicola Salvi
Construction:1732–
Surface:Travertine stone

The Trevi Fountain (Italian: Fontana di Trevi) is an 18th-century fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762[1] and several others. Standing high and wide,[2] it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

History

Origins before 1629

The fountain, at the junction of three roads (Italian: tre vie),[3] marks the terminal point[4] of the "modern" Italian: [[Acqua Vergine]]|italic=no—the revived Latin: [[Aqua Virgo]]|italic=no, one of the aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome. In 19 BC, supposedly with the help of a virgin, Roman technicians located a source of pure water some 13km (08miles) from the city. (This scene is presented on the present fountain's façade.) However, the eventual indirect route of the aqueduct made its length some 22km (14miles). This Aqua Virgo led the water into the Baths of Agrippa. It served Rome for more than 400 years.[5]

During the 6th century AD, the aqueducts were not well maintained and the 14 functioning ones were damaged during the invasion of the Ostrogoths. Although compromised and greatly reduced in scope after the damage caused by the siege of the Goths of Vitiges in 537, the Acqua Vergine remained in use throughout the Middle Ages, with restorations attested as early as the 8th century, then again by the Municipality in the 12th century, on the occasion of which the conduit was also connected to other sources closer to the city, located in a place then called "Trebium".

The Acqua Vergine water aqueduct carries the water to the Trevi Fountain, after having collected it 10km (10miles) from the Italian capital. The aqueduct is still in use today, despite some interventions during which the fountain remained empty. Calcium-free water is thought to be one of the causes.[6]

Commission, construction, and design

In 1629, Pope Urban VIII, finding the earlier fountain insufficiently dramatic, asked Gian Lorenzo Bernini to sketch possible renovations, but the project was abandoned when the Pope died. Though Bernini's project was never constructed, there are many Bernini touches in the fountain as it exists today. An early influential model by Pietro da Cortona, preserved in the Albertina, Vienna, also exists, as do various early 18th century sketches, most unsigned, as well as a project attributed to Nicola Michetti[7] one attributed to Ferdinando Fuga[8] and a French design by Edmé Bouchardon.[5]

Competitions had become popular during the Baroque era to design buildings, fountains, as well as the Spanish Steps. In 1730, Pope Clement XII organized a contest in which Nicola Salvi initially lost to Alessandro Galilei – but due to the outcry in Rome over a Florentine having won, Salvi was awarded the commission anyway.[9] Work began in 1732.

Salvi died in 1751 with his work half finished, but he had made sure a barber's unsightly sign would not spoil the ensemble, hiding it behind a sculpted vase,[10] called by Romans the asso di coppe, the "Ace of Cups", because of its resemblance to a Tarot card.[11] Four different sculptors were hired to complete the fountain's decorations: Pietro Bracci (whose statue of Oceanus sits in the central niche), Filippo della Valle, Giovanni Grossi, and Andrea Bergondi.[12] Giuseppe Pannini (1718-1805), son of Giovanni Paolo Panini, was hired as architect.[13]

The Trevi Fountain was finished in 1762 by Pannini, who substituted the present allegories for planned sculptures of Agrippa and Trivia, the Roman virgin.[14] It was officially opened and inaugurated on 22 May by Pope Clement XIII.[15] The majority of the piece is made from Travertine stone, quarried near Tivoli, about 35km (22miles) east of Rome.[16]

The name of the fountain derives from the Latin word Latin: trivium|italic=no, meaning "intersection of three streets". The statue is located right in the center of Via De' Crocicchi, Via Poli and Via Delle Muratte.[17]

Restorations

The fountain was refurbished once in 1988 to remove discoloration caused by smog,[18] and again in 1998; the stonework was scrubbed and all cracks and other areas of deterioration were repaired by skilled artisans, and the fountain was equipped with recirculating pumps. In January 2013, it was announced that the Italian fashion company Fendi would sponsor a 20-month, 2.2-million-euro restoration of the fountain, the most thorough in the fountain's history.[19] Restoration work began in June 2014 and was completed in November 2015. The fountain was reopened with an official ceremony on the evening of 3 November 2015. The restoration included the installation of more than 100 LED lights to improve the nighttime illumination of the fountain.[20] [21] [22]

2023 protest

On 21 May 2023, activists of the climate group Ultima Generazione (Last Generation) climate protest group vandalized the fountain by dying the water with charcoal.[23] [24] Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri criticized the attacks on heritage sites. As the fountain recirculates the water, cleaning of the fountain would need the 300,000 litres of polluted water to be emptied and replaced resulting in significant costs.[25] [26] Ryan Maue, the former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, stated the attack was done by "climate eco-anarchists".[27]

Iconography

The backdrop for the fountain is the Palazzo Poli, given a new façade with a giant order of Corinthian pilasters that link the two main storeys.[28] Taming of the waters is the theme of the gigantic scheme that tumbles forward, mixing water and rockwork, and filling the small square. Tritons guide Oceanus's shell chariot, taming hippocamps.[19]

In the centre, a robustly-modelled triumphal arch is superimposed on the palazzo façade. The centre niche or exedra framing Oceanus has free-standing columns for maximal light and shade. In the niches flanking Oceanus, Abundance spills water from her urn and Salubrity holds a cup from which a snake drinks. Above, bas reliefs illustrate the Roman origin of the aqueducts.[29]

The Tritons and horses provide symmetrical balance, with the maximum contrast in their mood and poses (by 1730, Rococo was already in full bloom in France and Germany).

Coin throwing

The best known and most persistent tradition consists of throwing a coin into the fountain before leaving "the eternal city", a superstition associated with the fountain being that whoever makes this gesture would favor a future return to the city.[30] Coins are purportedly meant to be thrown while turning one's back to the fountain, using the right hand over the left shoulder.[31] This was the theme of 1954's Three Coins in the Fountain and the Academy Award-winning song by that name which introduced the picture.

An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day.[32] In 2016, an estimated €1.4 million (US$1.5 million) was thrown into the fountain.[33] The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's poor; however, there are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain, even though it is illegal to do so.[34] [35]

In popular culture

The Trevi Fountain is depicted in the third movement, "The Trevi Fountain at Noon", of Ottorino Respighi's 1916 symphonic poem Fountains of Rome.[36]

The fountain has appeared in several films, including Roman Holiday (1953);[37] Three Coins in the Fountain (1954); Federico Fellini's classic, La Dolce Vita (1960);[38] Sabrina Goes to Rome (1998); and The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003).[39] In Federico Fellini's 1960 film La Dolce Vita, Anita Ekberg wades into the fountain with Marcello Mastroianni.

In 1973, the Italian national postal service dedicated a postage stamp to the Trevi Fountain.[40]

Replicas

An 11adj=midNaNadj=mid and 20.6adj=midNaNadj=mid similar façade construction as monument was built in 2023 at Serra Negra, Brazil.[41] Another copy is located near Caesars Palace in Las Vegas,[42] and another replica can be found in Jamsil station of the Seoul Metro Subway. Yet another replica is located in the Xetulul Theme Park, Retalhuleu Department, Guatemala.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Trevi Fountain fountain, Rome, Italy Britannica . 2023-04-25 . www.britannica.com . en . 28 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220128054636/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Trevi-Fountain . live .
  2. Encyclopedia: Trevi Fountain . Britannica.com - Trevi-Fountain .
  3. Though other etymologies have been suggested, this is the straightforward modern etymology adopted by Pinto 1986 and others.
  4. The technical Italian term for such a "terminal fountain" is a ("display"): Peter J. Aicher, "Terminal Display Fountains ("Mostre") and the Aqueducts of Ancient Rome" Phoenix 47.4 (Winter 1993:339–352).
  5. Book: Pinto, John A. . The Trevi Fountain . . 1986 . 0300033354 . 326 .
  6. Web site: Trevi: LA FONTANA DI TREVI, sezione: restaurazione. 3 February 2019. live. 3 March 2021. 25 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125223459/https://www.archeoroma.it/siti/fontana-di-trevi/.
  7. John A. Pinto, "An Early Project by Nicola Michetti for the Trevi Fountain" The Burlington Magazine 119 No. 897 (December 1977:853–857).
  8. John . Pinto . Elisabeth Kieven . An Early Project by Ferdinando Fuga for the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The Burlington Magazine. 125. December 1983. 746–749, 751.
  9. Book: Gross, Hanns . Rome in the Age of Enlightenment: the Post-Tridentine syndrome and the ancient regime . Cambridge University Press . 1990 . New York . 28. 0-521-37211-9 .
  10. Book: Delli, Sergio. Le strade di Roma: una guida alfabetica alla storia, ai segreti, all'arte, al folklore. The streets of Rome: an alphabetic guide to history, secrets, art, folklore . 21 May 2018. 1975. Armando. it.
  11. Book: Andrieux, Maurice. Rome. 21 May 2018. 1968. Funk & Wagnalls.
  12. Book: Minor, Vernon Hyde. Passive Tranquillity: The Sculpture of Filippo Della Valle. 21 May 2018. 1997. American Philosophical Society. 978-0871698759. 252.
  13. Book: Marder. Tod A.. Jones. Mark Wilson. The Pantheon: From Antiquity to the Present. 21 May 2018. 2015. Cambridge University Press. 978-1316123232. 523.
  14. Book: Powell, Lindsay. Marcus Agrippa: Right-hand Man of Caesar Augustus. 21 May 2018. 2015. Pen and Sword. 978-1473854017. 198.
  15. Book: Rapagina. Luigi. Matarazzo. Massimiliano. The Trevi Fountain: Digital travel guide. 19 May 2018. 2016. Edizioni Polìmata. 978-8896760925. 15.
  16. Web site: The Trevi Fountain – The most beautiful fountain in the world. 23 February 2014. 25 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190325064321/http://www.trevifountain.net/curiosities.htm. dead.
  17. Web site: fontana-di-trevi. live. 2 March 2021. 28 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210728171850/https://aleelatan.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/fontana-di-trevi.pdf.
  18. News: Trevi Fountain To Be Restored . 28 February 1988 . The New York Times . 21 December 2020 . en . 3 . 27 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210927145612/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/28/travel/travel-advisory-119088.html . live .
  19. News: Pullella. Philip. Rome Trevi Fountain, symbol of Dolce Vita, to get big facelift. 21 December 2020. Reuters. 28 January 2013. 15 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200415073757/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-trevi/rome-trevi-fountain-symbol-of-dolce-vita-to-get-big-facelift-idUSBRE90R0X020130128. live.
  20. Web site: Torna l'acqua a Fontana di Trevi, dopo il restauro firmato Fendi. 3 November 2015. Roma – La Repubblica. 3 November 2015. 7 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407173523/https://roma.repubblica.it/cronaca/2015/11/03/foto/dopo_il_restauro_firmato_fendi_torna_a_splendere_fontana_di_trevi-126552960/1/#1. live.
  21. Web site: La Fontana di Trevi torna all'antico splendore dopo il restauro. 3 November 2015. Rai News. Laura. Squillaci. it. 21 December 2020. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021143746/https://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/La-Fontana-di-Trevi-torna-antico-splendore-dopo-il-restauro-289f9352-8f61-4cd4-b0b1-7e4ec5f54a74.html. live.
  22. Web site: La Fontana di Trevi, applauso e flash salutano il ritorno dell'acqua. it. 4 November 2015. ANSA.it. 27 March 2019. 16 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316214203/http://www.ansa.it/sito/photogallery/primopiano/2015/11/03/fontana-di-trevi-applauso-e-flash-salutano-il-ritorno-dellacqua_47eb8c2e-fa84-432b-b0a6-cfe1f3c5adb6.html. live.
  23. Web site: Rome climate protesters turn Trevi fountain water black . The Guardian . 21 May 2023 . 21 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230521141414/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/21/rome-climate-protesters-turn-trevi-fountain-water-black . live .
  24. Web site: Trevi Fountain water turns black in Rome climate protest . Reuters . 21 May 2023 . 21 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230521133616/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trevi-fountain-water-turns-black-rome-climate-protest-2023-05-21/ . live .
  25. News: Nadeau . Barbie Latza . Climate activists dump charcoal in Rome's Trevi Fountain . CNN . 22 May 2023 . en . 22 May 2023 . 22 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522164526/https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/charcoal-trevi-fountain-rome-climate-intl/index.html#:~:text=He%20told%20local%20media%20on,at%20the%20Trevi%20Fountain%2C%20Rome. . live .
  26. News: Watch: Activists turn Trevi Fountain water black . 22 May 2023 . BBC News . 22 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522044657/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-65666775 . live .
  27. Web site: Maue . Ryan . Italy recently suffered major flooding, so the climate eco-anarachists attacked the Trevi Fountain to get Europe to abandon fossil fuels and undergo extreme degrowth. . . @RyanMaue . 19 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231019164232/https://twitter.com/RyanMaue/status/1660365658230599680 . 19 October 2023 . English . . 21 May 2023 . live.
  28. Web site: Trevi Fountain: Overall view of fountain with the facade of Palazzo Poli . 1 January 1910 . CurateND . . 20 May 2018 . 31 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200531212501/https://curate.nd.edu/show/xw42n58745j . live .
  29. Web site: Trevi Fountain . Lonely Planet . en . 20 May 2018 . 20 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180520124541/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/rome/attractions/trevi-fountain/a/poi-sig/389099/359975 . live .
  30. Éric Neuhoff, Fontaine de Trevi, histoire d'eau (in French), Le Figaro, 18 August 2014, p. 20
  31. News: Rome's Trevi Fountain generates €1.4m for city's charities in 2016, reports Caritas . Cox . Josie . 13 April 2017 . The Independent . 20 May 2018 . en-GB . 20 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180520195820/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/rome-trevi-fountain-1-million-euro-city-charities-2016-italy-capital-caritas-reports-a7681646.html . live .
  32. News: Trevi coins to fund food for poor . 26 November 2006 . BBC News . 18 January 2010 . 25 October 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101025130912/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6188052.stm . live .
  33. Web site: Rome's Trevi Fountain Holds Nearly $1.5 Million in Loose Change. 13 April 2017. NBC. Claudio. Lavanga. Nick. Bailey. 7 October 2019. 31 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200531212558/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/rome-s-trevi-fountain-holds-nearly-1-5-million-loose-n745921. live.
  34. News: Trevi coins row re-surfaces . 8 October 2003 . BBC News . 18 January 2010 . 1 May 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110501033313/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3175072.stm . live .
  35. News: Trevi fountain 'copycat' thieves arrested . 9 August 2002 . BBC News . 18 January 2010 . 18 February 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090218083213/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2183210.stm . live .
  36. News: The Three Arts. The Evening Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. 28 December 1920. 12. Newspapers.com. 23 May 2022. 19 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220619000159/https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-evening-sun/6634/. live.
  37. Web site: ROMAN HOLIDAY FILMING LOCATIONS: COMPLETE GUIDE WITH MAP . Nomad Epicureans . 12 November 2023.
  38. News: BBC NEWS - Europe - La Dolce Vita, 50 years and counting. bbc.co.uk. 5 March 2009. 14 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170913044932/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7925032.stm. 13 September 2017. dmy-all.
  39. Top 10 Iconic Movie Locations. Time. Silver. Alexandra. 17 May 2010. 21 May 2018.
  40. News: The Trevi Fountain and the Dolce Vita! . 3 November 2015 . . 19 May 2018 . en . 20 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180520123855/http://www.euronews.com/2015/11/03/the-trevi-fountain-and-the-dolce-vita . live .
  41. Web site: Réplica da 'Fontana di Trevi' fica pronta, e Serra Negra aguarda governador de SP para inaugurar atração . 20 April 2023 . 20 April 2023 . 20 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420124642/https://g1.globo.com/sp/campinas-regiao/noticia/2023/04/20/replica-da-fontana-di-trevi-fica-pronta-e-serra-negra-aguarda-governador-de-sp-para-inaugurar-atracao.ghtml . live .
  42. Book: Moser, Walter . Ndalianis . Angela . Krieger . Peter . Neo-Baroques . Brill/Rodopi . Leiden ; Boston . 2016-10-27 . 978-90-04-32434-3.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Trevi Fountain".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.