The Purpose of Water Features in Garden Art

                Water features have been used across European gardens since the time of the Roman Empire. From simple still ponds to intricate river divergent systems, the use and purpose of the water features in garden art has progressed and changed. Several themes have governed the inception of water features in gardens, yet the most prevalent seems to be the ability to impress others. From roman, to Islamic, to Renaissance gardens, water features were meant to impress.

                Some of the earliest European gardens were found within the Roman Empire, and even then, water features could be seen in the layout and designs. One example was the reconstruction of the House of Vettii in Pompeii

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_gardens#mediaviewer/File:Ricostruzione_del_giardino_della_casa_dei_vetii_di_pompei_(mostra_al_giardino_di_boboli,_2007)_01.JPG) which contains very simple water fountains. The fountains were used for several reasons, one of which being the outward show of wealth. The wealthy aristocracy decided to show the money they owned by these seemingly simple water features, but it was actually very difficult to come by. The water would have to be diverted from nearby streams or rivers, isolated, and sent directly to their villa. Even a small display of moving water showed immense private wealth in the Roman Empire, and the development of water would only get more elaborate for viewers.

                In contrast, the Islamic gardens employ a different shift on the classical purpose of water features. The main use of water in the Islamic gardens is religious. The Islamic style focuses more on the expression of art for God and to impress God with their works, but the other styles in garden art focus more on the impression of others with your own power. Islamic garden water features include the central pool with four rills pouring out in four directions.

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/04/fc/e0/04fce080fb23735162adbef2171236b9.jpg) This is meant to symbolize the four rivers from Eden, which shows a dedication to God and the Qur’an.  While recreating images from the Qur’an, it is creating images that will please God. The importance of gardens to Go din the Qur’an can be researched more thoroughly through the interpretive seminar titled ‘Origin of Islamic Gardens’ which explores quotes from the holy book of Islam and their meaning behind garden art. (http://www.academia.edu/1861364/Origin_of_Islamic_Gardens) The gardens are not made to impress other worldly beings, but they are made in shadow of the word of God and meant to impress Him.

                Water features in the Italian Renaissance, however, returned back to the classical Roman and Greek purposes. In the example of the Villa D’Este, the Cardinal wanted to show visitors of his immense power and wealth. At that point, he did not get elected into the position of Pope, but he still wanted to show the world that he was a force to be reckoned with. So he constructed this immense garden with several water features to demonstrate that force.

(http://people.umass.edu/latour/Italy/2005/RDIZEL/delugebig.jpg) 

(http://www.benvenutolimos.com/images/tours/cities/tivoli-walk-of-100-fountains.jpg) In these two examples of fountains in the Villa D’este, the Cardinal had the water diverted from one of the major rivers running through Rome directly into his garden. The force of the river into the gardens is powerful that the main fountain of the villa does not even require a hydraulic system to allow the water to flow out of the fountain. This spectacular feat of engineering was meant to impress all visitors to the villa and provide a status symbol for the D'este family.