Fountain In Piazza Colonna Rome, Italy
Fontana
Della Piazza Colonna - 1575
Situated in the hustling atmosphere of Rome's Piazza Colonna is this rather pretty looking sculpture fountain, depicting two pairs of dolphins with tails entwined inside the shells. Sculpted by Alessandro Stocchi, they replaced four small pyramids that used to be at the sides of the basin in 1830. It was built in 1575 by the Roman architect Giacomo della Porta (1533 - 1602), only feet away from the imposing column of emperor Marcus Aurelius, depicting the military campaigns fought by the emperor. Della Porta accepted the challenge, and drew an interesting basin, shaped as a fancy-looking tub. In his original plans he intended to use statue popularly known as Marforio. This large reclining figure was to be moved from it's position on Capitolium hill, and placed against the base of the column, leaning on one side of the basin. This never came to fruition however as Pope Gregory XIII rejected the idea. Della Porta's preparatory designs are still in existence to this day.
Modest in Size for a Roman Fountain
Surprisingly small compared with other outdoor water fountains in Rome such as the world famous Trevi Fountain and the Fountain of the Four Rivers this fountain must at times appeared insignificant when considering it's proximity to Marcus Aurelius's column monument. The elongated lines of the lip and of the pool of the fountain as a whole are extremely delicate and fluid and, combined with the use of portasanta marble that rims the fountain, make this one of the most successful and spontaneous of della Porta's fountains, particularly when you consider the almost total lack of sculpture and ornamentation.
The Design of the Fountain In Piazza Colonna
The
design of this dolphin and lion head water fountain features eight
curved sides, convex and concave, in alternate order. Along its outer
part are sixteen vertical bands in white marble, suggesting the "legs"
of the tub, each one ending with a small lion head. In it's original
form the fountain stood over a short flight of five steps, which acted
as a base, but due to the change of height of the ground level, the tub
now rests directly on the ground. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, probably Rome's
most famous fountain designer restored the fountain at Piazza Colonna
during the reign of Pope Alexander VII (1656). The work undertaken was
of minor importance however as the Pope wanted to move the fountain to
St. Mark's Square", as he wanted the now famous Trevi fountain to
replace it on Piazza Colonna. This never happened and the rest as they
say is history. The last major restoration of this fountain was ordered
by Pope Clement XI in 1702 at the hands of G. B. Contini, the architect
of the works for the Aqua Vergine. The only alteration that took place
was the addition of the 8-pointed star of the papal emblem. This too
however was later removed.